The closure of a youth detention centre with an "ongoing abuse risk" has been further pushed back as part of broad justice reforms.
Tasmania's Ashley Youth Detention Centre was in 2023 recommended to be shut as soon as possible in the final report of an inquiry into institutionalised child sexual abuse.
The inquiry found the centre, the subject of horrific stories of mistreatment, carried a live and ongoing abuse risk.
The state government, which had previously pledged to shut the centre by the end of 2024, later said it would be closed in 2026 once replacement facilities had been established.
On Monday, that date was pushed back to early 2028 as part of the release of a master plan for the construction of a more therapeutic centre north of Hobart.
"We cannot (close the centre) before we have a new functional detention facility," Minister for Children and Youth Roger Jaensch told reporters.
"We believe … we can see the new facility built before the end of 2027 and then the closure of Ashley shortly thereafter."
Labor opposition MP Sarah Lovell said there was no clear plan for what would happen in the meantime.
"The (inquiry) made it crystal clear: Ashley must close as soon as possible," she said.
"Community safety is directly linked to effective, therapeutic youth justice.
"Without meaningful reform, including the closure of Ashley, we are failing both the young people in the system and the communities they return to."
A parliament committee was last week told the government was investigating recent complaints from detainees about the use of isolation and restraints.
Mr Jaensch acknowledged Ashley had not produced good outcomes for young people and hadn't reduced re-offending.
However, the state government was providing diversionary programs for young people and the centre was safer than ever before, he said.
"There is more oversight, there are body-worn cameras, there are body scanners," he said.
"We're not seeing an increase in reports of sexual abuse, although we leave the channels open for anyone with concerns to report them.
"As I understand it, there hasn't been a recent concern raised about recent sexual abuse matters at Ashley Youth Detention Centre."
The new centre will have 16 residential beds, plus two for new arrivals and two medical beds, with the ability to expand.
Of 111 state servants suspended since late 2020 because of child sexual abuse allegations, 41 remain subject to ongoing investigations by the government.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
