Labor has accused the state government of being secretive about the standing down of a public servant from the North of the state following an historical sexual abuse allegation.
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But the government has fired back, with Attorney-General Elise Archer describing the Opposition's claims as "shameful" and "playing politics" with a serious issue.
Late on Friday afternoon, the government issued a statement saying a State Service employee had been stood down from their work duties pending an investigation, after an allegation was uncovered through the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sex abuse.
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However, the agency in which the employee worked was not disclosed in the statement, which Deputy Opposition Leader Michelle O'Byrne said was in keeping with the government's "secrecy".
"It is very unusual not to at least identify the agency or the department that this person would have been stood down from," she said today. "It's inconsistent with their previous announcements and I think speaks to a government that's had a pretty rough few weeks, have been called out for their secrecy and, unfortunately, [have] no other way to respond than to keep keeping secrets."
"I think when you choose not to release information you make people more concerned about what that information may hold.
"It sounds more frightening ... for people. So the best thing that the government can do is to give what information that they can do so people feel empowered and they feel they've got a good strong relationship with their government and they know what is going on."
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The Attorney-General, however, said the employee was only stood down late yesterday and that a statement was issued as soon as this occurred.
"Ms O'Byrne's claims are false, have no basis in fact whatsoever and amount to nothing more than opportunism, without any attempts to check facts or afford natural justice," Ms Archer said.
"The government has taken strong action on this matter to protect the people in our care and has been fully transparent on the day the action was taken. However, we also need to make sure that we fulfil our duty of care to our employees and do not prejudice investigations."
Ms O'Byrne's claims are false, have no basis in fact whatsoever and amount to nothing more than opportunism, without any attempts to check facts or afford natural justice.
- Elise Archer, Attorney-General
Premier Peter Gutwein last week announced a commission of inquiry into allegations of child sex abuse in government institutions, as independent investigations take place in relation to the Education Department, the Launceston General Hospital and the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
The terms of reference for the inquiry, which will have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence, are still being developed.
The commission of inquiry will commence early next year.
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