The Commission

The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings was established on 15 March 2021 by Order (PDF, 478.7 KB) of the Governor of Tasmania.

The Commission is equivalent to a royal commission and is independent of the Tasmanian Government.

Under its terms of reference (PDF, 191.1 KB), the Commission’s inquiry will focus on the adequacy and appropriateness of the Tasmanian Government’s current responses to allegations and incidents of child sexual abuse in institutional contexts.

The Commission will submit its report and recommendations to the Governor of Tasmania by 31 August 2022.

Read more about the scope and focus of the inquiry.

Opening hearing – 26 October 2021

The Commission held its opening hearing on Tuesday 26 October 2021.

The opening hearing provided an opportunity for the Commissioners to give an update of the Commission’s progress and an overview of the next stages of the inquiry. The Commissioners also heard from Counsel Assisting, Maree Norton, who spoke on behalf of other Counsel, Rachel Ellyard, Elizabeth Bennett and Alexandra Darcey.

The transcript from the opening hearing can be found here Transcript of 26 October 2021 (PDF, 160.7 KB).

After careful consideration, the Commission will recommence its hearings in May 2022. Hearings will be held in Hobart and Launceston.

Please see Media Release dated 17 December 2021 for more information -  Commission-of-Inquiry-Media-Release-Looking-ahead-to-2022-17-December-2021.pdf (commissionofinquiry.tas.gov.au).

Share your experience and ideas with the Commission

Victim-survivors, their supporters and other people who wish to provide information directly to a Commissioner can register to attend a session with a Commissioner.

Sessions will allow people to speak directly with a Commissioner about their experience and any views they may have about what needs to change to prevent child sexual abuse and improve responses to, and reporting of, abuse in institutional settings.

The Commission will respect the wishes of any person who wishes to provide information privately. In providing information to the Commission, participants also have rights and protections under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995 (Tas), including that:

• your employer cannot prejudice or dismiss you
• others cannot try to prevent you from providing information to the Commission, and
• others cannot punish you or cause you damage, loss or disadvantage because you provide information to the Commission.