The Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector’s work is guided by national and international laws, policies and standards. We have compiled a list of links to relevant external resources, as well as to organisations that can investigate individual complaints or offer support.
1. Useful websites and information about OPCAT and NPM bodies:
- Association for the Prevention of Torture
- Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- Commonwealth Ombudsman
- United Nations (Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner)
- Istanbul Protocol: Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (2022 ed.)
- Preventing Torture: The Role of National Preventive Mechanisms – A Practical Guide
- Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
2. United Nations General Assembly human rights instruments:
- Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
3. Human rights organisations:
- Amnesty International Australia
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- Australian Red Cross
- Commissioner for Children and Young People Tasmania
- Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions
- Human Rights Council of Australia
- Human Rights Law Centre
4. Australian NPMs and Custodial Inspectorates:
- Australian Capital Territory NPM
- Commonwealth NPM
- Inspector of Custodial Services – Canberra, ACT
- Inspector of Custodial Services – Sydney, NSW
- Northern Territory NPM
- Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services – Perth, WA
5. Tasmanian Legislation:
6. Tasmanian Government Departments and Bodies
- Department for Education, Children and Young People
- Department of Health
- Department of Justice
- Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
- Department of Premier and Cabinet
7. Who to Contact in Tasmania with a Complaint or Concern
The Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector investigate systemic issues. We are happy to hear your concerns about how you have been treated – this helps us understand what is affecting people who are deprived of their liberty – but we do not investigate individual complaints.
If you have a complaint that you think should be investigated, you can contact one of the bodies listed here:
- Anti-Discrimination Commissioner: complaints about discrimination.
- Disability Commissioner: concerns that a person with disability may be experiencing violence, abuse, neglect, coercion, or exploitation.
- Health Complaints Commissioner: complaints about a health service provider.
- Independent Regulator: concerns about conduct of a worker towards a child.
- Integrity Commission: complaints about public sector misconduct.
- Ombudsman: complaints about public authorities.
- Strong Families, Safe Kids: concerns about child wellbeing and safety.
- Tasmania Police: to report a crime.
8. Support Services
Content on this website and in our reports may cause distress. If you feel like you need to talk to someone, these services may be able to help:
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Blue Knot Foundation: 1300 657 380
- Family Violence Counselling and Support Service: 1800 608 122
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Relationships Australia Tasmania: 1300 364 277
- Sexual Assault Support Service Helpline: 1800 697 877
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Victims of Crime Service: 1300 300 238