Three public servants who failed to act in good faith when giving evidence to a child sexual abuse inquiry will be forced to pay back more than $76,000 in state-funded legal fees.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
An independent investigation was launched into $1 million in legal assistance given to 27 Tasmanian public servants who appeared before the inquiry in 2022.
It recommended the government claw back $56,430 in legal assistance provided to former Launceston General Hospital head Peter Renshaw, who resigned after the inquiry.
Dr Renshaw was found by the inquiry to have failed to comply with protocols for reporting suspected child sexual abuse.
He misled the head of the health department about former Launceston General Hospital nurse James Geoffrey Griffin, the inquiry found.
The inquiry heard harrowing evidence about abuse by Griffin, who took his life in 2019 after being charged with child sexual offences.
Dr Renshaw was also found by the inquiry to have provided "omissions and fabrications" when giving evidence.
The independent investigation was satisfied Dr Renshaw demonstrated a "lack of good faith" and recommended the state pursue reimbursement for the legal fees.
The investigation found the state had grounds to reclaim a combined $19,745 in legal help given to a former Ashley Youth Detention Centre manager and ex-hospital HR consultant.
They were found to have also not acted in good faith when giving evidence.
Attorney-general Guy Barnett said he had instructed the department of justice to recover public funds from Dr Renshaw and the two other state servants.
The investigation is still interrogating legal help provided to nine of the 27 public servants.
The inquiry, which delivered its final report in 2023, made 191 recommendations including for the closure of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre as soon as possible.
It said the centre, which remains open while a replacement is being built, posed a live child sexual abuse rise.
In 2024, a court awarded $75 million in compensation for 129 former detainees who alleged they suffered or witnessed sexual or physical abuse at the centre between 1960 and 2023.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Australian Associated Press
