The Gutwein Liberal Government and Minister for Children Sarah Courtney have no plan to transition children away from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre three months after announcing they would close the facility.
Shadow Child Safety Minister Sarah Lovell said Ms Courtney’s “announcement” today that she was releasing yet another discussion paper and forming yet another steering committee was an empty, meaningless move that did nothing to answer serious questions about what would come next for Tasmania’s young people.
“This is the best Ms Courtney can come up with after supposedly working for the past three months on a transition plan away from Ashley,” Ms Lovell said.
“Tasmanians are sick of discussion papers and new committees from this government.
“Tasmanians want action. They want to know what Ms Courtney and the government are actually doing to ensure children are safe and their well-being is a real priority.
“What Ms Courtney has said today amounts to nothing, with no detail about what the government is doing for current Ashley staff and young people right now in the wake of the announcement the centre will close.
“There is no detail about who will actually steer her steering committee.
“Such a complete lack of detail considering the government has had three months to come up with detail is a disappointing travesty.
“Ms Courtney continues to tell Tasmanians children are the Liberal Government’s priority.
“Considering she has also confirmed today that new programs for children sent to the Northern Territory’s Brahminy program won’t be in place in Tasmania for at least a year, that claim is just not to be believed.”
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Child Safety Minister
