Media Release: Government Must Stop Ghosting the Independent TNPM
Government Must Stop Ghosting the Independent TNPM
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said today the State Government must heed the urgent calls by the independent Tasmanian National Preventive Mechanism (TNPM), Mr Richard Connock, and immediately fund the Office so it can fulfil its legislated responsibilities.
“Last week, the Legislative Council voted to pass my motion calling for the Rockliff Government to commit to all recommendations of the TNPM’s Implementation report of last year, to which the government has not even had the decency to provide a formal response,” Ms Webb said.
“There was much self-congratulatory backslapping by the Liberal government following the passage of its legislation in 2021 to establish the TNPM, as being the first jurisdiction in the country to do so.
“After getting that good PR for themselves, it is unconscionable for the Rockliff government to now basically set up this important statutory independent office to fail, by continuing to starve it of the necessary funds and resourcing to ensure it can deliver on its legislated responsibilities.”
Ms Webb said since last year the TNPM has continued to warn there are vulnerable Tasmanians currently at a heightened risk of inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, including those using disability support services, in aged care, and in closed mental health settings.
“The TNPM cannot do its job to protect their rights due to the government’s failure to provide funding. Any decent government truly driven by compassion and a commitment to good governance would have leapt into action the moment the TNPM released its Implementation Report last year.
“Instead, the Rockliff Government has basically ghosted this important independent statutory office, and turned its back on the international OPCAT agreement to which Australia is a signatory.
“This is an outrageous and unacceptable situation. The majority of the Legislative Council voted in support of my motion last week, calling for the government to act immediately and implement all the TNPM’s 2023 Report’s recommendations,” Ms Webb said.
Text of Ms Webb’s successful motion on this matter, as passed by the Legislative Council on Tuesday the 19th of November 2024, can be viewed here
