The Gutwein Government and Attorney-General Elise Archer owe every Tasmanian an explanation about why they have failed to implement more than 100 critical recommendations of the National Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Shadow Child Safety Minister Sarah Lovell said the government's admission today that 109 of the 307 Tasmania-specific recommendations had not been adopted was inexcusable.
"And the government's excuse that they are in train does just not cut it, particularly for the hundreds of survivors who bravely came forward to tell their stories and try to effect desperately needed change," Ms Lovell said.
"The government has simply failed to adopt important reforms - after four years – including the key recommendation of establishing a Reportable Conduct Scheme.
"Tasmanians would not have known that the government has failed four years after the recommendations were handed down if this important matter had not been plainly and clearly raised by the Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry President Marcia Neave at the first public hearings yesterday.
"The Premier was asked yesterday about why his government has failed to act swiftly but he was caught off guard and could not provide a detailed response.
"Today he could do nothing more than admit a third of the Tasmanian specific recommendations had not been adopted.
"Tasmanians deserve an explanation about why it has taken so long. They deserve an explanation about when they will finally be implemented.
"And survivors require not only a detailed explanation but an apology from a government that has not made this a priority."
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Child Safety
