The Tasmanian Greens and Labor have coolly welcomed the appointment of new Children’s Commissioner Leanne McLean.
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The government announced Ms McLean’s appointment on Tuesday after she had worked as Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s chief of staff since 2017.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said questions on how a person could move from a political role to an independent role needed to be answered.
Labor spokesman David O’Byrne questioned why it had taken 14 months to fill the position left vacant by Mark Morrissey last year.
TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes and Lady Gowrie Tasmania chief executive Ros Cornish were part of the selection panel which decided on Ms McLean’s appointed.
“This young woman was a standout applicant and in interview gave the panel absolute confidence that she was the right person for the role,” they said in a statement.
“We are strong advocates for an independent children’s commissioner. Independence from government is the cornerstone of the Commissioner’s ability to act as a powerful voice for Tasmanian children.”
Mr Rockliff was absent from a cabinet meeting when the recruitment of Ms McLean was considered.
