Tasmanian Premier shows he is serious about making Tasmania the safest place for children in Australia.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein’s announcement today of a Commission of Inquiry shows how committed he and the Liberal party are about making Tasmania safe for the children of the future, and also to find the true extent of past abuse in any and all institutions in the past said Beyond Abuse CEO Steve Fisher.

“This Commission of Inquiry will complement the hard work done by the Royal commission into Institutional Child Abuse and shows how serious this government are.”

Whereas the Royal Commission’s terms of reference were to look at systemic failures of institutions this inquiry will look at who the perpetrators of child abuse were and what was done to remove them from committing more crimes and also ascertain if there are still perpetrators working with children.

“Given the Investigations in to the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, the Tasmanian Health Service and the Department of Education who are virtually organisations investigating themselves with limited powers, it makes incredible sense to hold a COI which will have far more powers such as being able to subpoena witnesses” Mr Fisher said

Whilst this is an incredible initiative it will need strength from survivors to come forward and tell their stories. People who feel they maybe further traumatised should contact support services and see what help is available.

AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT: Steve Fisher 0434792514