The Education Department has completed an independent inquiry into its handling of sexual abuse claims in schools, but its findings and recommendations could only be released as part of the Commission of Inquiry process.
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A victim of former teacher Anthony LeClerc - who was moved from school to school in the North-West in the 1970s and 80s - believes there is no reason why the report's findings cannot be publicly released to give survivors a long-awaited understanding of what occurred within the department at the time.
LeClerc was jailed in 2015 for six years with three years non-parole for the sexual abusing of 14 children in the 1970s and 80s.
In August last year, the Tasmanian Government announced an independent inquiry into sexual abuse in government schools after survivors sued the Education Department for negligence.
The victim is one of six included in a lawsuit against the department regarding LeClerc's conduct at Grassy Primary School on King Island. Court-appointed mediation is scheduled for November.
They have long been calling for an investigation into the department's actions - and knowledge of prior complaints to police - in the years leading up to LeClerc being relocated, and afterwards.
They said it was hurtful to know that the answers could be known in the inquiry's report, but that survivors were having to continue to wait.
"Even just knowing the recommendations would be a start. There's quite a few people in my position, we'd like to know that our pain and suffering didn't all go to nothing," the victim said.
"I feel like they've basically hidden it into the commission. But because it was done independent of the commission, there's no reason why it can't be released. It's been completed, it's done and dusted.
"I want to make sure that people in my position know that the report is finished, it's been submitted, recommendations have been made, otherwise they'd be none the wiser.
"I was relieved to hear the Premier say he was going to be open and transparent, but this has been a kick in the guts when I found out that it had been completed and not released."
In November, Premier Peter Gutwein announced the Commission of Inquiry, which would receive information gathered from the Education Department inquiry and separate inquiries into allegations at Ashley Youth Detention Centre and within the Tasmanian Health Service.
The over-arching commission has more powers, including the ability to compel witnesses.
It is hearing evidence this week, and carrying out follow-up inquiries from information provided in more than 100 written submissions from individuals and organisations.
Department won't 'pre-empt' Commission of Inquiry
A government spokesperson confirmed the Education Department inquiry "had concluded its work, and a report has been presented to the Commission of Inquiry".
"The Department of Justice is supporting the Department of Education to give effect to any actions that could be taken in the short term as a result this work," the spokesperson said.
"The Department of Education recently established a dedicated unit to look at any improvements it can make to safeguard children and ensure it protects children and young people from harm of abuse.
"The Commission of Inquiry will consider the report and continue to investigate the Tasmanian Government's responses to child sexual abuse.
"It is important that we do not pre-empt the Commission of Inquiry findings, with the commission expected to report publicly."
This dedicated unit was believed to be among the recommendation from the inquiry's report.
Angela Sdrinis, who is working with six complainants in the lawsuit against the Education Department, expects separate legal claims to be made by victims of paedophile teacher Darrel George Harington later this year. The department retained him despite allegedly being aware of the allegations.
Harington was last year jailed for abusing children in his role as a teacher at a Hobart high school.
Since sexual abuse allegations were raised across three government departments in 2020, laws have been changed regarding working with vulnerable children checks, and Child and Family Services have been given the legal power to provide information to police.
The Commission of Inquiry is required to submit its report no later than August 31 next year.
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