Media Release: Call for CoI Blake Review Report to be Withdrawn

Call for CoI Blake Review Report to be Withdrawn:

As Confirmation Relevant Child Abuse Commission of Inquiry Material was Not Accessed

17 April 2024

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today called for the Blake Review Report to be retracted as a matter of urgency following confirmation that relevant Commission of Inquiry materials were not accessed to inform the Review.

Ms Webb also committed to move for the re-establishment of the Legislative Council Select Committee onto the Government’s Response to the Commission of Inquiry Recommendations at the earliest opportunity once Parliament resumes.

“Following a MPs-only briefing provided today by DPAC and the Reviewer Mr Blake, I can only come to the conclusion that the urgent and responsible course of action is for the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, to immediately withdraw and retract the Blake Review Report,” Ms Webb said.

“I do not make that call lightly.”

“However, it came to light in today’s briefing that the Reviewer was unaware of the existence of pertinent Commission of Inquiry transcripts and statements which have been removed from the current documentation available on the Commission website.

“Further, despite referencing two earlier Reports into complaints involving department Heads at the time, the Reviewer was unaware there were three such reports, one involving a separate Head of Agency additional to those reports cited by Mr Blake.

“It also defies comprehension, that the Review cannot confirm nor deny whether the list of 22 recipients of section18 misconduct notices by the Commission contains any former or current public sector Secretaries, due to that question not being asked.

“Despite accessing an unredacted version of the Commission of Inquiry’s report, the failure to be provided all relevant transcripts and statements instead of only relying on those currently on the public website, automatically renders this review incomplete as it does not scrutinise all relevant material.

Ms Webb said given the seriousness of this issue, the depth and strength of ongoing community disquiet the government should have proactively provided all relevant documents and contextual materials.

“The Reviewer should never have been put in the position of having to know or guess what materials may exist relevant to his review in order to know what documents to request.  

“While I appreciate the fact the briefing was offered and provided I am stunned and gravely concerned over the number and range of serious and outstanding questions left unresolved,” Ms Webb said.