Cassy O’CONNOR MP Inaugural speech

Policies implemented by previous Tasmanian governments ensured the miserable incarceration of mentally ill, physically and intellectually disabled children in Willow Court, also known as the Royal Derwent, until the New Norfolk institution’s closure in 2000.  What happened to these people?  They were de‑institutionalised back into a poorly prepared… community.  We should know, but we do not, really.  As with former wards of the State harmed in care, it is our responsibility to find out.  There are Tasmanians alive today who are still traumatised by their experience as young people in that unhealthy environment, hidden away, subjected to deprivations, abuse, neglect, even shock treatment.  We must acknowledge that this trauma extends to the parents of these broken children who are now broken adults.  They were told by the State that the best place for their handicapped kids was Willow Court.  They were told that the care these children received at Willow Court would be better than what could be provided at home.  How wrong that advice was.  I fear that the victims of this profound duty‑of‑care failure would be voiceless but for the dedicated work of Margaret Reynolds and National Disability Services Tasmania.  In a recent submission to government, Margaret Reynolds called for a parliamentary apology to the victims of Willow Court and for the establishment of a joint select committee inquiry to determine their current status and unmet needs.  The joint select committee investigation would also be asked to use the recognition of this terrible period of institutionalisation to develop policies which protect the human rights of all Tasmanians living with disabilities.  As a parliament, and on behalf of the people of Tasmania, we can work together to right a terrible wrong.  We can apologise to the children and teenagers who were systematically abused and neglected, their human rights grossly breached, at Willow Court.  We can and should also apologise in the Parliament to the families of those Tasmanians who have suffered a painful, lingering guilt as a result of an appalling dispassionate government policy.  They have a right to acknowledgment, to be heard and to be compensated.  I believe these are necessary steps towards a more just, socially inclusive Tasmania.  I look forward to working with members to achieve these outcomes.  I also very much look forward to serving the people of Denison with great care and respect.   Cassy O’CONNOR MP   Electorate: DENISON  Inaugural speech: 22 July 2008