Construction date for new detention centre revealed by government

The government has released its comprehensive response to the Commission of Inquiry's final report into child sexual abuse in Tasmanian institutions such as schools, hospitals, out-of-home care and the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

The commission in September made 191 recommendations which will be responded to in three phases.

The first phase has a deadline of July 2024, the next phase a deadline of July 2026 and all recommendations are to be delivered upon by July 2029.

Eighty-three per cent of the commission's recommendations will be delivered by July 2026.

Broken down:

Ten of the recommendations will not meet the commission's time frame for implementation and five recommendations will be delivered sooner than the commission's deadline.

Progress on the recommendations will be monitored by an independent monitor to be established by legislation in parliament next year.

The government this year selected a preferred site for a new youth detention facility at Pontville.

In its response to the commission's recommendations stated the site masterplan will be released for public consultation in the second half of 2024 and a development application is expected to be lodged in 2025.

It said construction on the facility would start soon after.

The government has committed to establish a memorial to victim-survivors who experienced abuse at Ashley by mid-2026.

It has committed to a recommendation that no former Ashley detainee be detained at any redeveloped facility at the same site unless they express a preference for this to occur.

The commission recommended the government introduce legislation to amend the Youth Justice Act to make isolation of a youth detainee illegal.

In response, the government has not committed to this specific amendment, but has said the Department for Education, Children and Young People would update isolation procedures in line with the commission's recommendations.

Phase two of the government's response will deal with harmful sexual behaviours in detention and schools.

This will be led by the Harmful Sexual Behaviours Support Unit, with input from the Children's Commission, with consideration of the importance of LGBTIQ+ awareness.

The government by mid-2026 will amend the Teachers Registration Act permit immediate suspension of an educator if the registration board considered there was a risk to children and for infringement notices to be issued for non-compliance with the act.

It has committed to a recommendation by the same deadline to implement a system to allow people to report child sexual abuse to Tasmania Police online.

MORE TO COME