[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Willow Court Children Apology Welcome_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

GREENS WELCOME GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR APOLOGY TO WILLOW COURT VICTIMS

As called for by National Disability Services (TAS) and in O'Connor's
Inaugural Speech

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens' Shadow Health Spokesperson

Thursday, 21 August 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today warmly welcomed the Bartlett Government's
acceptance of the need for a formal Parliamentary apology to victims of
the New Norfolk Mental Hospital, incarcerated between the 1960s and its
closure in 2000.

Greens Shadow Health spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP met National
Disability Services (NDS TAS) State Manager, Margaret Reynolds, three
weeks ago, read the submission to the "Former Wards of the State Abuse
in State Care" Inquiry, and subsequently the Greens publicly called for
the Apology recommendation to be adopted, as well as supported the call
for the establishment of a Joint Select Committee Inquiry to begin to
address past wrongs.

Ms O'Connor also reiterated her call for an Apology to those
incarcerated at the New Norfolk Mental Hospital during the delivery of
her Inaugural speech in the Parliament yesterday.

 "I am very pleased that the Health Minister has now given the
government's support to the establishment of a Parliamentary Select
Committee to examine the plight of the victims of Willow Court/Royal
Derwent, and make recommendations on how the wrongs of the past should
be addressed.    The Minister has indicated this would include
consideration of a formal apology, which the Greens had publicly called
for two weeks ago in support of the NDS submission," Ms O' Connor said. 

"Margaret Reynolds and NDS (Tas) have done a power of work to bring this
sad chapter in Tasmania's history into the light."  

"The Parliament has a moral duty to apologise, and to acknowledge the
suffering of whole families as a result of the abuse and neglect of
children in the New Norfolk Mental Hospital."

"The Greens look forward to continuing to be strong advocates for these
Tasmanians, and to working with Labor and the Liberals on a meaningful
path forward in the interests of victims and their families."

"This is an important development for the victims of an appalling,
dispassionate government policy towards children who were mentally ill,
and those with intellectual or physical disabilities," Ms O'Connor said.



Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania.  This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.

Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.