About | Gatty

Hi, I’m Gatty Burnett. I’m a generational Tasmanian, a whistleblower, a tenacious political conversationalist and someone who’s spent years speaking uncomfortable truths about the systems that are meant to protect us but often don’t.

My heritage runs deep through the north-west coast, and so does my commitment to this island. I come from a family who have lived through the highs and lows of Tasmania’s evolving systems, where government decisions hit close to home, and silence has cost lives.

I advocate for justice, transparency and the urgent need to address corruption within our law enforcement agencies. Our society places its trust in those who are sworn to protect and serve, and rightfully so. However, when that trust is compromised, it undermines the very foundation of justice, and the principles that define our democracy. Our law enforcement officers play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. However, instances of corruption tarnish the reputation of the vast majority who serve with integrity. We must confront this issue head on.

In 2006 a member of my family was shot, a bullet lodged next to his spine at Peggs Beach in Circular Head. The police attended the scene and allowed the shooter to walk free. Attending the hospital they told other mother, "as far as we are concerned he was stabbed with a screwdriver". Because the incident was never acknowledged by the Tasmanian Police, the victim survivor and his family members could not access victims of crime. Essential services such as counselling were denied, because the incident was not recorded. A bullet is lodged next to the victims spine, causing disability, but the incident was not recorded and more services are unobtainable. The victim survivor was denied a court hearing because the incident was not recorded. Justice must be impartial, and accessible to every member of our society, regardless of background or circumstances. We need reforms that address systemic issues within our criminal justice system, ensuring fair treatment and equal protection uner the law for all individuals. My commitment extends beyond rhetoric to tangible policy proposals. I will work tirelessly to support initiatives that promote community policing, cultural competency training and community outreach programs to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they service.

I had the privilege to speak at the Partners in Recover, Practice, Service, System and Community Transformation Conference in 2015. Exploring the barriers experienced in the mental health, alcohol and other drug services revealing multifaceted challenges individuals face.

From 2015 to now the approach to human service

deliverables have not changed, short term contracts rolled

out at the start of each election. Since the NDIS consumed

Medicare Locals the mental health service deliverables were

replaced with a short term political solution that doesn't

address the needs of Tasmanian's, but the data looks good for

career politicians.

As a dedicated advocate for justice and societal well-being, I was one of the whistleblowers within the SafePathways organisation, contributing to efforts aimed at maintaining the integrity of our crisis child safety deliverables. Click here to watch 4 Corners investigation into the child protection industry in 2016. Beyond my professional endeavors, I am a survivor of domestic violence, my lived experience and career pathways fuels my passion for promoting awareness, empathy and change in societal attitudes towards survivors. I strive for breaking the silence surrounding abuse across all areas of community, championing positive transformation throughout Tasmania.

I have a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to shedding light on a critical issue that demands our immediate attention - child safety. It is an honor to walk alongside Azra Beach, a tireless child advocate and victim survivor, as we embarked on a journey together through our Safe Space Convo podcast.

Our podcast discusses uncomfortable truths

surrounding the decades-long political cover-ups

perpetrated by both Labor and Liberal governments.

For far too long, the safety and well-being of our

children have been compromised by a system that

failed to priorities their protection.

In addition to Safe Space Convo, I also co-host the Circular Two Heads Podcast, a platform where we tackle local hypocrisy, political theatre, and the manufactured tactics that shape public debate. It’s where grassroots honesty meets sharp political analysis of who's who in the room and what's happening in the zoo, where we bring voices forward that would otherwise be pushed to the margins.

We owe it to the generations to come to expose the

negligence, secrecy and lack of accountability that have

allowed child safety concerns to be swept under the rug.

My commitment is unwavering to advocate for truth in

government actions, accountability for those who have

failed our children, and reforms that priorities the safety

of our most vulnerable.

We stand with the Exposing Tasmanian Corruption Action Group and fully support their development of an anonymous disclosure portal—because Tasmania urgently needs a safe and secure way to expose toxic cultures in both public institutions and private industries.

The Truth Tasmania Initiative is a pilot project by the Exposing Tasmanian Corruption Action Group, created to reveal toxic workplace culture and systemic failures across Tasmania. It offers a secure, anonymous online platform where individuals can disclose misconduct, bullying, abuse of power, and institutional harm without fear of retaliation.

Muria Roberts, a Tasmanian educator and advocate, founded Exposing Tasmanian Corruption as a grassroots movement aimed at confronting systemic injustice and institutional abuse statewide. Working alongside international allies like Donna Stemmer of WorkRight in Aotearoa New Zealand, Roberts seeks to empower whistleblowers and drive much-needed cultural change in Tasmania’s institutions. More on Exposing Tasmanian Corruption

Dr Donna Wakenshaw from WorkRight has led frontline efforts to expose abuse and unsafe systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her tireless work supporting whistleblowers and survivors has helped shape best-practice models for cultural change—models Tasmania urgently needs. Donna Wakenshaw has been instrumental in exposing harm and holding systems accountable. Her experience is a vital example of what Tasmania needs: safe reporting pathways, real follow-through, and a culture that values truth over image. WorkRight About Us

A key focus of the Truth Tasmania Initiative is the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP)—an institution responsible for caring for Tasmania’s most vulnerable. Repeated failures in oversight, harmful internal culture, and lack of accountability within DECYP have left staff disillusioned and families betrayed.

The Truth Tasmania Initiative exists to give voice to those who have been silenced and to build a body of evidence demanding reform. By mapping disclosures and amplifying patterns of harm, the project is a crucial step toward transparency, justice, and the cultural change Tasmania urgently needs.

For too long, survivors, whistleblowers, and frontline workers have carried the burden of silence. From abusive power structures in youth detention and health, to bullying, cover-ups, and retaliation in government agencies and corporate workplaces, Tasmanians have been gaslit, ignored, and punished for speaking out.

This isn’t just about corruption, it’s about culture. A culture that protects the powerful, silences truth-tellers, and allows harm to thrive behind closed doors.

This project is a vital step toward systemic change. Toxic environments don’t just happen—they’re enabled by secrecy, fear, and lack of accountability. We believe every Tasmanian deserves to feel safe at work, in care, and in their community. We need mechanisms that support disclosure, protect identities, and lead to real consequences for abuse of power.

In today’s world, advanced technology allows for real-time disclosure and secure communication—meaning whistleblowers can share their experiences quickly and safely, while systems can respond faster and more effectively. Harnessing these technologies is essential to break the cycle of silence and protect those who speak out. Politicians themselves must lead by example by adopting real-time disclosure practices, making their interests, lobbying contacts, and decisions transparent to the public in a timely manner. This openness is crucial to rebuild trust and hold elected officials accountable in an era that demands immediate transparency.

Join me in this crucial conversation. Your voices, your stories, and your commitment to the safety of our children will be the driving force behind the change we seek. With courage let's champion truth, justice and hope for a future where no child suffers in silence. Together, we will expose the cover-ups, demand accountability, and create a society where the safety and well-being of our children are non-negotiable priorities.

My collective is made up of passionate and experienced political advocates who are committed to fighting for the rights of Tasmanians. We work tirelessly to hold politicians accountable and to shine a light on the issues that matter most to our community.

Thank you for visiting my website. I hope that you will join us in our efforts to create a more transparent and responsible political system in Tasmania.