Independent person appointed to lead Wolston reconciliation process

4 April 2017

Independent person appointed to lead Wolston reconciliation process

The formal reconciliation process for those who as children were in the care of the State and inappropriately placed in the Wolston Park adult mental health facility will now commence following the appointment of an independent facilitator.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick today announced that experienced community advocate Betty Taylor had accepted the appointment as the independent person to liaise with those seeking redress.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to this reconciliation process and in making this appointment, it has been critical to ensure the person chosen to lead the reconciliation process is someone that those seeking redress are comfortable with,” Mr Dick said.

“Ms Taylor’s appointment is an important step to ensure that the reconciliation process is both meaningful and respectful for those who were harmed.

“I’m confident that Ms Taylor’s experience working in domestic violence intervention and prevention roles means she is a good fit for the independent liaison role.

“Betty has over 30 years’ experience working across the domestic and sexual assault sector and is someone who will approach this role carefully, sensitively and in a dignified manner to ensure those who have been harmed are not re-traumatised.

“I know Ms Taylor is passionate about ending gender-based violence and will bring that empathy across into her liaison duties.

“I am keen to achieve resolution for individuals as quickly as possible; it is important we get this right.

“One of Ms Taylor’s first actions will be to meet with each person to identify what they are seeking from a reconciliation process, as different individuals will have different needs and expectations.”

Betty Taylor is the current CEO of the Red Rose Foundation, an organisation established to reduce deaths resulting from domestic and family violence and has been an active member of the Domestic Violence Death Review Action Groups since its formation in 2004. She has previously held roles as the founding Director of the Gold Coast Domestic Violence Prevention Centre and as the chairwoman of the Queensland Domestic Violence Council.

Ms Taylorhas also has written several training manuals including course material for the accredited Course In Responding to Domestic & Family Violence and Dying To Be Heard, a discussion paper looking at domestic violence death reviews.

The Department of Health is working closely with the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS), the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Mental Health Commissioner to undertake a reconciliation process that is respectful and dignified.

Mr Dick said that, if necessary, the process may take up to 12 months to be completed.

ENDS

Media contact:

Emma McBryde                    0447 155 332