On 18 August 2026 recommendations from the Independent Review into the actions taken in response to the information and concerns raised by the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings (the Woolcott Review) were referred to the Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor for monitoring, review and evaluation.
The recommendations referred under section 13 of the Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor Act 2024 are those that the Tasmanian Government has supported, supported in part, or supported in principle.
Led by former Australian Public Service Commissioner Peter Woolcott AO, with support from Radha Sharma, the Woolcott Review examined the actions taken by the Tasmanian Government in response to information and concerns raised by the Commission of Inquiry. Part A and Part B of the Review were tabled in the Tasmanian Parliament in November and December 2025 respectively, with the Tasmanian Government's response tabled in March 2026.
The Commission of Inquiry was a significant examination of the failures that allowed children and young people to experience sexual abuse in institutional settings and of the systems that should have protected them. Its work has led to an extensive program of reform aimed at making lasting changes to the systems, practices and culture that keep children and young people safe and support their wellbeing.
The Woolcott Review is an important part of that work. It provides an opportunity consider the actions taken in response to the Commission of Inquiry and identify where further work is needed.
The referred recommendations will now form part of the Implementation Monitor's work program. This includes looking beyond whether an action has been completed and considering it is effective and contributing to the intended reform.
The Monitor's 2025–26 Annual Report is currently being finalised and covers work undertaken as at 30 June 2026. As the Woolcott Review recommendations were
referred after the end of that reporting period, they will be considered in the Monitor's 2026–27 Annual Report.
The Commission of Inquiry made clear the importance of getting child safety reform right. The referral of the Woolcott Review recommendations provides another opportunity to learn from what has happened and strengthen the systems that protect children and young people.
The Monitor and his office will approach this work constructively and independently, with a focus on whether reforms are making a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Last updated: 20 August 2026