Shelton silent on abuse

Police Minister didn’t tell colleagues

POLICE Minister Mark Shelton did not alert other ministers about a pedophile nurse who had contact with children across a series of government agencies.

Opposition members have described Mr Shelton’ s decision not to share the information as “a shocking abrogation of his responsibility”.

The Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister on Thursday stonewalled questions about his response to finding out about pedophilia allegations against nurse James Geoffrey Griffin.

He repeatedly said the matter was one for a commission of inquiry, announced on Monday by Premier Peter Gutwein but not yet formally established.

Griffin, 69, of Legana, was charged with more than a dozen offences relating to crimes against children as young as 11.

He had worked at the Launceston General Hospital since 2001, and had also held positions at the Ashley Detention Centre, on the Spirit of Tasmania with the ambulance service and at local sporting clubs. Budget estimates committee hearings have heard the first of a series of complaints against Griffin was made to police on May 1 last year and an investigation followed.

Child pornography was found in his possession on July 19.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney became aware of the claims on July 31 — when Griffin’s Working with Children accreditation was revoked.

Mr Shelton told the committee he was verbally informed of the allegations against Griffin on August 23 but didn’ t tell anyone else.

He refused to say who told him: “As these matters are to be examined by a commission of inquiry, I will not add further to the discussion,” he said.

Griffin was charged with a series of offence son September 3 and October 3.

But Ministers Elise Archer, RogerJaens chan dJe remy Rock li ff — who oversaw agencies in which Griffin may have had contact with children — only became aware through media reports on October 8 last year. Griffin died on October 18 last year after taking a cocktail of prescription medication.

Labor’ s Michelle O’ Byrne grilled Mr Shelton about his response.

“Were other government agencies or other entities advised at that time, under your premise that if you believe you need to keep people safe, that you would have that conversation ?” she asked.

Mr Shelton said he had not and responded to questions with variations of the response: “I am not going to prejudice the investigation of the commission of inquiry .”

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff said she could not understand why a minister aware of serious allegations of sexual abuse would not warn other relevant ministers.

“Why wouldn’ t another minister of the crown inform them of the charges so they could look at the records of that man, investigate who he had been around, his working conditions and seek to take appropriate steps?

“Why are serious charges of sexual abuse not enough for you to pay due diligence to the protection of children?”