Page 1504 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 July 2020
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MRS DUNNE: Minister, what steps did you personally take to ensure the protection of children who came into contact with the ACT Health system through this official?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I received briefings from the director-general and, unlike, it appears, Mrs Dunne, I actually have faith in the director-general that she has taken this matter incredibly seriously. This is a very distressing matter for ACT public servants. I think Mrs Dunne’s comments to the media last weekend were very unfortunate. This is clearly a seriously sensitive issue, particularly for those who have worked closely with this individual.
Mrs Dunne’s comments clearly were intended to imply that senior officials in the Health Directorate had knowingly allowed a paedophile to continue to work in the ACT Health Directorate for six months. That was an outrageous slur and, although she did not say it specifically, there was a clear implication. It is an outrageous slur against senior officials in the ACT Health Directorate who acted immediately on becoming aware of this information.
ACT Health—child sex offences
MR COE: I have a question for the Minister for Health. Minister, when was the Chief Minister first informed that a senior executive ACT public servant whose notice of appointment he has personally tabled in this chamber on a number of occasions had been charged with child sex offences?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I understand that the Chief Minister was advised on the same day that I was, on 14 May.
MR COE: When was the Chief Minister first informed that this senior executive ACT public servant was pleading guilty to these child sex offences?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: My recollection is that we were aware of that on 14 May.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, when will the government, and you and the Chief Minister, support the Canberra Liberals’ call for a full investigation and review of this instance to ensure that it never happens again?
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Barr, you are responding to the supplementary?
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is an investigation; Minister Stephen-Smith has outlined that. The matters are distressing and concerning and have, of course, been the subject of considerable discussion in terms of potential responses and issues that this presents for the future. I have had those discussions with the Head of Service. Clearly this situation is one that is of concern and is receiving the utmost attention from the Head of Service. I also need to note that the matter is still before the courts.
I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
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