Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor Bill 2024 (No 14)

Wednesday 19 June 2024

[6.01 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I will make a short contribution on this very important bill. The experiences we heard from victim/survivors during the commission of inquiry, I am sure, has compelled each and every one of us to do everything we can to ensure that no child is harmed in those circumstances ever again.

I add my voice to others, to thank those brave people who came forward to tell their experiences and how it shaped them. I commend them for their bravery. We cannot undo the pain that has been inflicted; but we can say that we see you and we hear you, and we want to make sure that it does not happen to anyone ever again.

The commission of inquiry was a significant step towards this. It is incumbent upon us as lawmakers and as human beings to ensure that the 191 recommendations from the inquiry are implemented in full, as quickly as possible. The systemic failings that allowed so many people to be hurt in institutional settings clearly needs significant oversight with appropriate accountability measures in place.

Therefore, the establishment of an independent reform monitor is imperative. Someone who is independent from executive government, not subject to the general direction or control of any minister, and is endowed with certain powers to carry out these functions, is entirely necessary to achieve the ongoing review of child safety in institutional settings.

Amongst other things, the monitor will be mandated to: develop a monitoring and evaluation framework; consult with relevant agencies and peak advisory bodies; produce reports on its findings and conclusions; and request certain information and enter certain premises.

These are significant powers, and it will be important to ensure that the person who is appointed as the monitor has a very good understanding of the legal implications of having and exercising these powers. I understand that the bill provides a number of requirements to this end, including those relating to prior experience and mitigating conflicts of interest. I am sure that a suitably qualified person will be appointed.

I was pleased to hear the Leader say that the implementation of the recommendations will embed the voices of victim/survivors and others with lived experience. That this is why we must make room for learning and for continually adapting the response to make sure that we are delivering better outcomes for children in our institutions and across our community.

That is truly what is at heart of the inquiry. One of the recommendations was a commitment to listening, and doing better. Ongoing consultation with victim/survivors during this process is therefore essential. The commission of inquiry shone a light on the systemic failings of child protection in institutional settings - but ensuring that those who bravely spoke up remain involved in the implementation of the 191 recommendations will be the key to ensuring success.

There is much work to be done, but there is only one way forward. I acknowledge that the establishment of the monitor will be an important step towards full implementation of the commission of inquiry recommendations and as such, they are endowed with some quite significant powers.

I believe this bill signifies a milestone in the implementation of the commission of inquiry recommendations and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to speak to it today.