Whistleblower’s lawyer hits out

GOVERNMENT lawyers were retraumatising a child abuse whistleblower by requiring her to undergo repeated medical evaluations, her lawyer says.

Ashley Youth Detention Centre worker Alysha went public with claims of abuse at the facility – leading to the government’s announcement in September last year that it would close within three years.

Lawyer Angela Sidrinis says her client’s family now faces financial ruin at the same times as accused child sex offenders are stood down on full pay.

Alysha (inset) is expected to be a key witness at the commission of inquiry into the Tasmanian government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.

But the government is fighting her worker’s compensation claim tooth and nail, Ms Sidrinis says. It included forcing her to attend four medical assessments – and demands for a fifth – which she described as “doctor shopping”.

“Each time, she has been forced to relive the trauma of the abuse she witnessed and experienced at AYDC and revisit her experience of powerlessness in preventing and protecting those vulnerable children,” Ms Sidrinis said.

A government spokesman said: “We are advised that through the active workers compensation claim ... Alysha is entitled to a range of rehabilitation and medical supports and as an employee she has access to the ... employee assistance program. We also understand Alysha is receiving her lawful entitlements under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and her claim is being managed in the usual way such claims are.”