The Minister for Children, Michelle O'Byrne, said today that there are currently a number of mechanisms for reviewing child deaths in Tasmania.

 

"The death of a child is a serious and an incredibly sad matter and every case in Tasmania is investigated thoroughly.

 

"We are actively pursuing reform in this area to ensure that we continue to learn every lesson that arises from every loss of a child's life."

 

Ms O'Byrne said current processes include coronial reviews; reviews undertaken by the Council of Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity; and independent reviews contracted by the Agency on children involved with the child protection system.

 

"All these review mechanisms consider child deaths from different perspectives and provide recommendations relating to the focus of their review," she said.

 

"However, currently there is no mechanism for strategic oversight of the implementation of those recommendations, or the opportunity for analysis of multiple reviews that may deal with a common theme or recommendation.

 

Ms O'Byrne explained in estimates today the Department of Health and Human Services is developing a framework for the Child Death Review processes in Tasmania.

 

"The proposed framework is one where the investigations currently conducted by these bodies will be received by one authority."

 

Ms O'Byrne said consideration is being given to whether this could be achieved through existing resources and legislative frameworks.

 

The Commissioner for Children, Aileen Ashford, examined the issue and supports the need for these functions to be undertaken.  

 

"Ms Ashford suggested Government needed to seek further advice from other bodies prior to making a final decision.

 

"Additional advice has now been received and this is being considered by officers within the Agency prior to further advice being provided to Government."