Rodda Museum Apology

**Check against delivery**

Honourable Speaker, I speak to this motion to address a troubling and historical wrong enacted against Tasmanians spanning over three decades, where 177 human remains from coronial autopsies were stolen and kept at the Rodda Museum in Hobart, without family or coronial knowledge or approval.

Although these historical practices ended 35 years ago, the deep impact this has had on the families and loved ones of the deceased continues to this day.

It’s important to remember that these were not just body parts, or specimens, or human remains. They were people.

They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers, and sisters who were missed by their loved ones, and there is no doubt the pain of losing them has been exacerbated by what occurred later. 

It is important that as a Government, as a Parliament and as a community, we recognise that, and as part of this apology, I would like to read out the names of those individuals who we have been able to identify and whose families have given their consent for me to do so.

Elaine Nellie King;

David William Maher;

Elaine Elsie Erskine;

Anthony James Santi;

Amy Absolom-Harris;

Damian Lawrence Smith;

Lewis John Barnes;

William Arthur Williams;

Gladstone Frederick Williams;

David Bonnitcha;

Daniel Tiffin;

Cindy Tiffin;

Amedeo Minnucci;

Ramona Straatsma;

Reginald William Turvey;

Susan Kaye Pritchard;

William Caplice;

Stanley Rex Wignall;

Kenneth Perry Fulton;

Dion Jarman;

Annette Joseph;

Shane Anthony Dale; and

Peter Malcom Cleaver.

It’s important to note that this is not a complete list but if any additional families would like their loved ones recognised on the Parliamentary record, at any time in the future, I commit to updating the House to reflect that.

I acknowledge those in attendance today, including affected individuals and families, and those who have supported families through this difficult process.

These actions occurred within a broader system of governance and oversight that, at the time, failed to prevent, identify, or address these practices.

We acknowledge the shock, the anger, the grief, and the trauma experienced by families on learning – often many years or decades later – that the remains of their loved ones had been stolen.

In many cases, families became aware of these matters through public processes and some families were not able to make informed choices about how their loved one was laid to rest.

Many families were also not provided with information as to why human organs or remains were stolen, and the absence of this information continues to compound grief and distress, and has exacerbated the hurt and anger they feel.

For many, this has caused renewed distress, disrupted the grieving process, and damaged trust in institutions that should have acted with the utmost care, respect, and integrity.

The experiences of pain, distress and loss are not the same for everyone.

Each family’s loss, and each person’s response, is unique.

Some have sought answers.

Some have sought accountability.

Some have sought only acknowledgement and respect.

There is no single or expected response; all responses deserve to be met with care.

We recognise that no apology – however sincerely offered – can undo what has occurred, restore what was lost, or fully repair the harm caused.

For many, this harm is ongoing, intergenerational and immeasurable, and the knowledge their loved ones were treated without dignity or respect continues to cause distress and harm.

For some, this apology comes too late, and for others, it may not provide resolution or closure.

The Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian Parliament unreservedly apologises to all individuals and families affected by the human organs and tissue samples stolen by forensic and hospital pathologists employed by the Department of Health and provided to the Rodda Museum.

The institutional failures that enabled these practices and the harm caused can never be undone, and we are sorry that your loved ones were not treated with the dignity and respect that they deserved.

We are sorry that consent was not sought or obtained, and that your rights as families were not respected, and that systems intended to protect families and uphold ethical standards failed to prevent, identify, and stop these practices.

We are also sorry that many families did not receive the support, guidance or information they needed at the time, and that this lack of support and clarity compounded an already distressing experience.

While delivering this apology is an important step, the responsibility to act with care, transparency and sensitivity does not conclude with the words spoken in this Chamber.

Rather, it includes how affected individuals and families are treated beyond today, how concerns are listened to, and how ongoing questions are addressed.

In that context, further investigative work has been undertaken by the Department of Health in recent months to identify, as far as possible, other pathologists who may have been involved in these practices during the relevant period.  

While this work has occurred within the limits of historical records, I can advise that in addition to Dr Royal Cummings, who was identified by the Coroner’s Report, the investigation has found that five other individuals were likely involved, with four able to be fully identified and one partially. Of the individuals able to be fully identified, two are deceased.

The findings of this internal investigation, including the details of those identified as likely being involved, has been provided by the Department of Health Secretary to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration and to identify any possible further actions that can be taken to hold them accountable.

I can advise that none of these individuals are now employed by the Department of Health, nor are they currently employed as pathologists in Tasmania.

⁠The investigation has also identified that a further four people were likely involved in the practice, but no records of the names of those individuals have been able to be identified, due to the inadequacy of record keeping at the time.

This work does not alter or extend the coroner’s findings but reflects our commitment to due diligence, transparency and informed accountability in responding to this matter.

I can also assure the Parliament and the community that contemporary legal, clinical and governance frameworks – including strengthened consent requirements, oversight arrangements and professional standards – are now in place to prevent these practices from occurring in the future.

Specifically, the Coroners Act 1995 has strengthened the requirements for Coroner authorisation, and the creation of a Statutory role of State Forensic Pathologist has ensured that no human remains can be removed or used without consent.

The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute is currently reviewing Tasmania’s Coronial Act, with the aim of further strengthening the operation of the coronial system and ensuring it is responsive to the needs of those affected by it.

I can confirm that families will have the opportunity to contribute and share their thoughts and experiences in relation to this important work, through the consultation that will occur as part of the review.

Finally, we affirm the State’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical responsibility in all matters involving the care, custody and dignity of human remains.

These principles are fundamental to public trust, and they will guide our actions now and into the future.

To those affected, we thank you for coming forward and for asking difficult questions.

Your advocacy matters.

Your voices assist us to learn from past failures and do better.

Your experiences have informed, and will continue to inform, the Government’s response to these historical practices.

The significance of your presence here today, and the strength it takes to be present as this apology is made is a powerful reminder of why this apology matters.

Once again, on behalf of the State, we are deeply sorry.