National Redress Scheme
On 22 May 2018, the Attorney-General, the Hon Elise Archer MP, announced that the Tasmanian Government will participate in the National Redress Scheme, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Read the Ministerial Statement
To date, the governments of New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Queensland have committed to joining the Scheme. The governments of South Australia and Western Australia have yet to announce a position.
The National Redress Scheme, administered by the Australian Government is to commence from 1 July 2018, subject to the successful passage of legislation through the Australian Parliament.
The Tasmanian Government will introduce legislation to bring Tasmania into the Scheme in the coming months, however the structure of the Scheme provides that Tasmanians will be able to start the application process once the Scheme commences, and access support services to assist them with this process.
More information about the National Redress Scheme is available on the Commonwealth Department of Social Services website or the National Redress Information Telephone Line – 1800 146 713.
Where can you get help?
The Tasmanian Government encourages anyone affected by child sexual or physical abuse to access the services and support groups that are available to assist. Some options for advice and support are listed below:
National
1800 Respect - Call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au
24/7 telephone and online crisis support, information and immediate referral to specialist counselling for anyone in Australia who has experienced or been impacted by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence.
Lifeline - Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
State
Relationships Australia Tasmania - 1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services.
Sexual Assault Support Service Inc. - 03 6231 1811/03 6231 0044
A community based service committed to providing support and information services to survivors of sexual assault.
Access to Personal Records
Department of Education
Personal information
The Department of Education acts in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004 in its collection, storage and use of personal information. DoE takes reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information held is accurate, complete and up to date.
Personal information held by the Department of Education can be accessed by using the PIPS Request for Information form at https://www.education.tas.gov.au/about-us/legislation/personal-information/
The website also provides a form for correcting or updating personal information held by the Department.
Assistance with the forms:
Telephone (03) 6165 6187, or email legal.services@education.tas.gov.au
Your local LINC in person, or online https://www.linc.tas.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx
Right to Information
Information that is not the applicant’s personal information (personal records) is required to be applied for under the Right to Information Act 2009. The application is to be made using the application for assessed disclosure which allows the applicant to explain why the information is sought. In relation to the Royal Commission, the application fee may be waived under public interest.
Assistance with the application for assessed disclosure:
Telephone (03) 6165 6156, or email rti@education.tas.gov.au
Your local LINC in person, or online https://www.linc.tas.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx
Further information is available at https://www.education.tas.gov.au/about-us/legislation/rti/
General information about the Right to Information is also available from the Office of the Ombudsman http://www.ombudsman.tas.gov.au/right_to_information
Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services collects and holds information from a variety of sources to enable them to deliver services.
DHHS holds personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. The Act provides that an individual may request access to, or amendment of, information held by a public authority about that individual. You can access your personal information.
DHHS routinely makes information available that will assist the public in understanding what it is they do and how they do it. Information may be released via DHHS’ website or through publications and reports.
Some information is not released in this way, because it is not of general public interest or because it is information that DHHS would need to assess against the exemptions in the Act prior to disclosure.
Information about accessing other, non-personal information.
Tasmanian Government Employees
Information about support services available for current Tasmanian Government employees is available on your department’s intranet site and available from your supervisor.
Information about Tasmania’s response to the Final Report