The Liberal Government must guarantee that children and young people currently detained at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre are safe.
Shadow Minister for Child Safety Sarah Lovell said the government had once again failed to provide clear details regarding Ashley's closure over the next three years.
"With so many deeply concerning reports of a potentially unsafe environment for children and young people at Ashley, the government needs a transition plan for staff, children and young people," Ms Lovell said.
"The government has outlined its plan for the closure of the centre, yet we have heard no such plan regarding staff and what will happen to programs for children at Ashley if they leave to seek job security.
"Staff shortages increase risks to detainees and limit the availability of support, it is vital the safety of children remains front of mind when making decisions surrounding the closure."
Ms Lovell said at the same time, the number of children referred to Child Safety for investigation but who were not allocated a case worker within the accepted timeframes had blown out, from 18 children in April 2020, to 105 children at the end of August this year.
"What are the government doing to turn this terrible situation around?
"Despite the Minister's rhetoric, the number of children at risk and without a case worker has continued to grow.
"Today's first public hearing of Tasmania's Commission of Inquiry into child sex abuse has shone a light on failures to keep Tasmanian children safe, in both the out of home care system and in the youth justice system.
"The government need to seriously look at how they can fast track the two new youth detention facilities, they must make the safety of children a priority."
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Child Safety
