Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, called for the immediate closure of Ashley Youth Detention Centre during a speech in the Federal Parliament.
“Tasmanians are horrified by the reports of systemic harm and abuse of young detainees at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.” Mr Wilkie said. “Most recently, the report of Tasmania’s Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse saw the Commissioners flag that, despite consistent warnings and condemnation over years, there remains a live and current risk of sexual abuse to children in the facility. No wonder they called for the Centre to be closed urgently.”
“While in 2021 the Tasmanian Government committed to closing the facility by 2024, they appear to be walking this commitment back, even though the Government has at hand literally reams of evidence of the appalling misconduct at Ashley. In other words, the State Government will be complicit in any harm and abuse continuing at the Centre.”
“The Tasmanian Government must act, they must listen to the Commissioners and the voices of those who came forward to the Commission of Inquiry, and they must close Ashley immediately. Not next year. Not next month. Immediately.”