A high-profile First Nations advocate alleges she was sexually assaulted and harassed in her workplace, leading her to resign as the ACT commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
Human rights lawyer and Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts was appointed to the inaugural role in November 2023.
She later took a six-month leave period and subsequently resigned at the end of 2025, two years into her five-year term.
On Tuesday, Ms Turnbull-Roberts took to social media to reveal the reasons for her exit from her “dream role”, writing in a statement: “I departed this role for one reason only: my physical and psychological safety, and this in turn determined what is in the best interests of my family.
“During my term I was subjected to sexual harassment and sexual assault in Canberra by a public servant, making it necessary to prioritise my safety.
“This conduct has no place in any workplace. Appropriate reports have been made, including to police, and these matters are now with relevant authorities.
“This experience has impacted me in ways too shattering for language to fully hold.”
In the statement, Ms Turnbull-Roberts also addressed media reports that alleged community members had raised concerns of “persistent absenteeism” and four staffers had left the office due to “leadership issues”.
She wrote: “A recent media report speculating about my absence in Canberra and attributing my departure to anything other than my safety – and that of my family – is both incorrect and harmful.“It misrepresented the reality of my decision and caused me further harm.
“Taking steps to protect one’s health and safety should never be distorted or weaponised.
“No one leaves work of this significance without reason.”
At the time of her appointment, Ms Turnbull-Roberts was the youngest person assigned to an independent statutory role in Australia.
The position had been created following a recommendation from the Our Booris, Our Way report, which aimed to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the ACT child protection system.
https://thewest.com.au/news/vanessa-turnbull-roberts-alleges-workplace-sexual-assault-during-act-commissioner-tenure-c-21663492
