The Derwent Valley Council’s Mayor spends time talking about an apology to the past resident of Willow Court with the Minister for Health and Human Services and the Premier according to the latest August Information Bulletin. So what do they think about this?
“We were all shocked and saddened as we went through the process of revealing the tragic treatment and circumstances of vulnerable children in State Care in Tasmania’s past.
“It is widely accepted that institutional care such as that experienced at Willow Court is no longer appropriate for people with disabilities.
“All parties now recognise that the primary care and support for people with disabilities should be provided in the community,” Ms Giddings said.
Lara Giddings, MP. 29 October 2008
“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.”
Cassy O’CONNOR MP. 22 July 2008