A Tasmanian mayor who works with young people in local theatre shows is undergoing a review of his working-with-children status by the Department of Justice.
City of Launceston mayor Danny Gibson is currently unable to work or volunteer with children whilst his Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) status is "being reviewed".
The Tasmanian government website notes: "This applicant is unable to work or volunteer with children whilst their application is being reviewed."
Registration for a WWVP application may be required if an individual is working or volunteering with anyone under 18 years of age and would be expected to have "more than incidental contact with children" as part of their normal duties.
It is not currently mandatory for public officials, including local government, to hold a WWVP card.
Mr Gibson's WWVP registration does not expire until October 2023 and there has been no disclosure by the government as to why the mayor's status is undergoing a review.
It is unclear how long his WWVP status has been in review.
The mayor's existing employment and volunteering details include Encore Theatre Company, Launceston Church Grammar school, Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise, City of Launceston, and the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management.
Mr Gibson was first elected to the City of Launceston council in 2011 and he has been mayor since October last year.
He is a former Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, is also involved in the Rotary club and has helped coordinate Launceston's Carols by Candlelight for eight years.
Alongside his work in local government, Mr Gibson also teaches drama to young people.
According to the City of Launceston website, Mr Gibson has "directed or assisted more than 50 local theatre productions for a range of performing art companies".
Mr Gibson is also the director for Stage Right Youth Theatre, previously known as the Launceston PCYC Youth Theatre Program.
Mayor 'not advised' of reasons for review
In a statement on his mayoral Facebook page on Wednesday, Mr Gibson said he was "advised by email late last month" his WWVP registration was "being reviewed by the Department of Justice".
"I was not, and have not been, advised as to why this review is being conducted," he wrote.
"This matter is now being played out publicly and weaponised in an environment dominated by rumour and innuendo.
"As I hope you and the community know, I am a fierce advocate for children and their rights. I am also a strong believer in the need for us as a society to have protections in place for vulnerable people."
Mr Gibson wrote he had "no further information provided to me from the Department in relation to this matter, except that the review is scheduled to be concluded late this month".
"I intend to continue to fulfil my mayoral duties and I am, of course, complying with all obligations under the registration to Work With Vulnerable People Act 2013 while this review takes place.
"I will not be making any further comment on this matter, at this time."
Mr Gibson directed Encore Theatre Company's musical of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Launceston's Princess Theatre, which had its closing performance on Saturday 1 April.
Some members of the Priscilla cast were under the age of 18.
The ABC understands Mr Gibson's classes at Stage Right Youth Theatre have been cancelled for the past two weeks, but it is not known if this is related to his current working-with-children status.
On its website, the company says it "provides students aged between 5 and 16 the chance to learn valuable theatre skills in a fun and confidence-building environment".
"Danny's involvement with the theatre ranges acting through to stage manager," the website states.
According to the Encore Theatre Company code of conduct, all relevant production staff and volunteers are required to hold a current WWVP license.
The theatre company was contacted for comment and said Encore had "at all times complied with its legal obligations, and we make no further comment".
Mayor to 'continue my work'
At a press conference last week, the ABC questioned the mayor on his WWVP status.
Mr Gibson said he held a WWVP card, but when asked to confirm if it was currently valid, he did not answer the question.
"I can confirm that I think it is an important component for all elective representatives to hold a working with vulnerable person card," he said at the time.
"That's not a requirement in the act, but it's something that I think is very important.
"I'm not going to comment on my individual circumstance, other than to say I have always and continued to maintain that a working with vulnerable person card is an important thing that elected representatives should hold."
'Disappointing' issue is 'being played out through media'
A Department of Justice Spokesperson said the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013 prohibits the regulator from commenting on the registration status of individuals.
A spokesperson for Launceston Church Grammar School said Mr Gibson previously worked in the school's marketing department but has not worked at the facility since 2016.
In a statement on Wednesday, City of Launceston chief executive Michael Stretton said under the Local Government Act, an "elected official is not required to hold a current Working With Vulnerable People registration to perform their duties as a councillor or mayor in Tasmania".
"From the City of Launceston's perspective, this is a private matter.
"As such, the council will not be making any further comment at this time other than to say it is disappointing that what should be a confidential process is being played out through the media."
The Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise said it could not comment on the ABC's questions.
Stage Right Youth Theatre has been contacted for comment.
Anyone with further information on this story can contact the journalist via email: mclennan.april@abc.net.au
