To-be-formed child sex abuse commission to be given ‘all the powers’ it needs
David Killick & Helen Kempton | Mercury Newspaper | November 24, 2020
The Commission of Inquiry into child abuse in Tasmanians government agencies will be given all the powers it needs to do its job, Premier Peter Gutwein said in the estimates.
THE Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse in Tasmanian government agencies will have all the powers it needs to conduct a thorough investigation, Premier Peter Gutwein says.
Mr Gutwein was questioned about the inquiry by Legislative Council member Meg Webb in parliamentary budget estimates committee in Hobart on Tuesday.
Ms Webb said Tasmania’s only other Commission of Inquiry, into the 1991 shooting of Vietnam veteran Joe Gilewicz which was held in 2000, was hampered by not having sufficient powers.
She said a 2003 review highlighted shortcomings with the Commissions of Inquiry Act.
Mr Gutwein said he would ensure the Commissioner had the powers needed to do the job.
“I’ll take advice from whoever the Commissioner is,” he said.
“I think it would be reasonable to say that while I understand broadly the powers of a Commission of Inquiry and I’ve looked at the Act in recent days myself, but I’m certainly not a student of the Act.
“I’m happy to take some advice on those recommendations from 2003. To be frank, it’s the first time that matter has been raised with me.
“If the Act itself is not adequate and the Commissioner were to raise those concerns with me then obviously I would consider them.
Mr Gutwein said he would be happy to share with Parliament any concerns the Commissioner, once appointed, might raise about the issue.
“This is a Commission of Inquiry. We’re looking to shine sunlight light on the challenges
“In terms of matters that might be raised with me by commissioner, I think that the public should be aware of them.”
Mr Gutwein on Monday announced a 12-month Commission of Inquiry would start in the new year.
David Killick and Helen Kempton, Mercury
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