CHILD BOSS STEPS DOWN

THE revolving door of Tasmanian Children’s Commissioners continues, with incumbent Mark Morrissey the latest to resign part way through his term.

Mr Morrissey’s departure, which he said was because of personal reasons, comes amid a political storm over child protection and youth issues. The next commissioner will be the state’s fifth children’s advocate since 2010.

The sudden exit of Mr Morrissey has prompted calls from a former commissioner and the sector to make the position more independent from government.

Mr Morrissey, who took the role in late 2014, will depart next month, short of his five-year tenure.

“I would encourage all sides of politics to stay the course with the current set of reforms to the childprotection and out-of-home care systems in Tasmania,’’ he said.

Mark Morrissey will be a significant loss to the cause of protecting vulnerable Tasmanian children and a notably absent voice from the ongoing discussions about shortcomings in our system

“Reflecting on my time as commissioner, my lasting impression will always be of the many passionate and skilled people … who every day strive to make a positive difference to the lives of our children and young people,” Mr Morrissey said.

After more than three decades in senior leadership roles, Mr Morrissey said he wanted to start working part-time.

But Labor, whose own relationship with Children’s Commissioners was troubled in government, has labelled the timing of the resignation “suspicious”.

Labor MLC Josh Willie, who has referred an allegation of political interference in Mr Morrissey’s duties to the Integrity Commission, said the Government needed to explain his exit.

He has already claimed Mr Morrissey was at one time directed by Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma’s chief of staff not to provide the minister with written advice.

“We have a minister who is embroiled in controversy and now the only independent voice when it comes to ... children and young people in Tasmania has walked,” he said.

“For him to leave his position midway through his term, I think serious questions need to be asked why.”

Premier Will Hodgman said Mr Morrissey was leaving “of his own free will”.

“If anyone’s tried to put words into Mark Morrissey’s mouth, I think they should focus on what he asks of us and that is to be more positive about what we are doing,” Mr Hodgman said.

Ms Petrusma, who has denied claims her staff directed Mr Morrissey not to provide advice in writing, said “the timing is all Mr Morrissey’s”.

“Under [Labor’s] watch in nine years, six commissioners came and went, including one commissioner who only lasted a day,” she said.

“[Mr Morrissey] has been a strong advocate for the need for these reforms and for the redesign of the system, and we thank him particularly for his work in this regard.”

The commissioner’s term was increased from three to five years under the current Government and legislation last year strengthened powers to launch inquiries.

Mr Morrissey said he was proud of his work on beefing up the role as well as his reports, including one into the out-of-home care system for children.

His departure comes amid a redesign of the child-protection system, a new strategy for at-risk youth and a likely shake up of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

The Tasmanian Council of Social Service said it was time to review the Children’s Commissioner’s level of independence from government.

“Do we have the best possible model to ensure our most vulnerable children and young people have a voice — not just to government but to Parliament and the Tasmanian community?,” TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said.

“We need to explore models such as an independent statutory role — like the Ombudsman currently plays — to enable the Children’s Commissioner to report to Parliament, not government.”

Former Children’s Commissioner Paul Mason, who was dumped by Labor in 2010 after releasing a scathing report about a 12-year-old girl prostituted while a ward of state, called for more independence.

He urged the commissioner’s appointment to be done by Parliament and to report directly to it.

“There is no reason why the minister, for the time being, cannot consult across the chamber before recommending an appointment,” Mr Mason said yesterday.

“In the interests of independence, this would be a good idea.”

He said the commissioner should have the power to intervene in court proceedings.

There are calls for a new appointment to be made urgently, given the issues surrounding vulnerable children in the state.

“This portfolio area has lurched from crisis to crisis under minister Jacquie Petrusma. It is of the utmost importance that a new Children’s Commissioner is found as soon as possible,” Mr Willie said.

Ms Petrusma said the process was already in train.

“If we get someone of the calibre of Mr Mark Morrissey, we’ll be absolutely delighted,” she said.

“We want to fill it as soon as possible.”