Health Minister Sarah Courtney has today confirmed she was first informed of horrific child sex abuse allegations involving a former nurse at the Launceston General Hospital more than a year ago – but did nothing.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said the Liberal Government now needed to stop dodging serious questions and provide a legitimate explanation as to why immediate action was not taken to launch an investigation and provide care and support to families, alleged victims and hospital staff once the allegations came to light.
“Minister Courtney has confirmed today that she was told about these allegations last July but has failed to explain why she took no action to launch an inquiry until October this year,” Ms Lovell said.
“She has failed to grasp the magnitude of these dreadful allegations and she clearly feels no responsibility or accountability.
“The critical question is why did Minister Courtney wait so long to launch an inquiry and why did she fail to reach out to families, alleged victims and staff? What advice was given to her to do nothing and why did she accept that advice?
“Minister Courtney can no longer dodge these important questions and no amount of self-righteous anger on her part will disguise the fact that she has failed to act appropriately.
“Her angry performance in the State Parliament today – her clear annoyance at being asked critical questions – was entirely inappropriate and will offend and outrage everyone who has been affected by these crimes.
“Alleged victims have a right to be angry. Staff at the LGH have a right to be angry.
“Minister Courtney has no right to be angry at being confronted with an uncomfortable truth and instead should be ashamed at her failures.”
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Health Minister
