More workers face child sex abuse claims

ANOTHER four Tasmanian public servants have been stood down after being accused of child sexual abuse and more claims are expected, parliament has heard.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the worker standdowns in state parliament on Wednesday.

Three of the workers were from the state’s south and one from the north.

It takes to 24 the number of public sector staff who have been stood down to date.

Mr Gutwein said two of the allegations were of historic abuse and two were recent.

He praised those who had come forward to the Commission of Inquiry – which held its first public session this week – saying that its work was fully supported by the government.

“The inquiry is working exactly as it should. People are coming forward. Brave people who feel safe to step forward because the process is there to support them to do that,” Mr Gutwein said.

He defended his government's implementation of recommendations from the federal Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, saying 198 of the 307 relevant recommendations were substantially of fully implemented and the remainder were in progress.

Labor’s Child Safety spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said the failure to implement more than 100 recommendations was unacceptable.

“And the government’s excuse that they are in train does just not cut it, particularly for the hundreds of survivors who bravely came forward to tell their stories and try to effect desperately needed change,” Ms Lovell said.

“The government has simply failed to adopt important reforms – after four years – including the key recommendation of establishing a Reportable Conduct Scheme.

Mr Gutwein also announced on Wednesday the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings would likely have its term expanded.

“It is my view that by fostering processes that encourage people to step forward we will see more cases – this should come as no surprise,” he said.

“We need to shine a light on these matters rather than leave them in the dark.

“Furthermore in line with this, I can confirm that due to the Commission of Inquiry public hearings being unavoidably delayed, we will take advice from the commission in relation to any extension they may need to complete the very important work they are doing.”