Tasmania's guardianship system is broken and improvements to what is already in place isn't enough, Advocacy Tasmania chief executive Leanne Groombridge says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A review of the Tasmanian Public Trustee was released on Wednesday which showed issues with communication with clients over management of assets and finances as well as a lack of empathy and engagement from client services officers.
Report author Damian Bugg said 71 submissions had been provided from the public and stakeholders as part of the review which showed a pattern of the service not acting in the best interests of clients.
He concluded the Public Trustee had misunderstood its duties as an administrator under law.
In one case, a man who had been subject to an emergency order following hospitalisation was moved to care and placed on an administration order.
The Public Trustee made plans to close the lease on his rented accommodation and clear out his home.
This message was not conveyed clearly to the man and he lost his belongings.
In another case, a mother, frustrated for answers about payment practices from the trustee for her 50-year-old son, travelled to Hobart to speak to management.
When she refused to leave to head office, police were called.
The attending officer suggested a manager speak with her.
After an internal review, the woman was issued with an apology over how the situation was handled.
Ms Groombridge said it was inconceivable that the review found the Public Trustee had largely ignored its legislative responsibilities to empower their clients to become capable of managing their own affairs and to consider their wishes.
"It is now almost impossible to have any confidence in the Public Trustee when they've chosen to ignore their legal obligations," she said.
"What the report demonstrates is that life-changing decisions are being made behind closed doors by the Public Trustee without any reference to those affected and their clients have no power to seek redress."
"The underlying systems, laws and attitudes that enabled this to happen must change now. Making improvements to what is currently in place will be insufficient."
Attorney-General Elise Archer said it was critical the community had confidence in the service. "I can assure everyone that our government will act on the findings and recommendations to make any necessary improvements," she said.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
