Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

Children in Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre are unsafe and they have been for many years. This is despite decades of promises, reviews and inquiries to improve conditions and outcomes. I've been calling for the closure of Ashley for nearly 10 years. Since 2021, the Tasmanian government have promised to close Ashley, but their actions speak for themselves. The centre remains open for the foreseeable future and the conditions are as dangerous as ever.

Labelled a 'gladiator pit' and a 'prison for kids' the horrors that Tasmanian children and their families have lived with for years were laid bare in a commission of inquiry. The recommendations that were handed down on 31 August 2023 included the urgent and immediate closure of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. This was over 14 months ago. In response to the commission of inquiry, the Tasmanian Liberal government committed to closing the centre as soon as possible.

The Tasmanian government does not dispute the horrors that have occurred and continue to occur at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. An audit commissioned by the Tasmanian government recently estimated the state's abuse related liability for all current and future redress and civil claims at nearly $650 million. But despite this financial cost and what it implies, despite the lives destroyed in this institution and despite government promises every year since 2021 to close it down, Ashley remains open and without proper oversight. Plans for a replacement facility have been delayed indefinitely.

When you consider the recent devastating failures in other states and territories, like Banksia Hill in Western Australia and Don Dale in the Northern Territory, it is very clear to me and to most Australians that national oversight and enforceable standards of child protection in youth detention facilities in this country is urgently needed today.