Nsw Dioceses Launch Inquiry into Father F

ABC - PM
July 17, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3547771.htm

[with audio]

MARK COLVIN: There's to be an independent inquiry into the Catholic Church's handling of allegations of sexual abuse by the priest known as "Father F."

The church itself has launched the inquiry which will be led by the former Federal Court judge Antony Whitlam QC.

Samantha Donovan reports.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: The ABC's Four Corners program recently broadcast allegations that a priest known as "Father F" abused several altar boys in New South Wales in the 1980s.

The program alleged that Father F admitted he'd molested the boys to three priests at a 1992 meeting in Sydney.

But the matter was never reported the matter to police.

Today the Bishop of Armidale Michael Kennedy and the Bishop of Parramatta, Anthony Fisher, announced an independent inquiry into what they call "the processes related to the management" of Father F.

The inquiry will be led by the former Federal Court judge Antony Whitlam QC.

Melbourne Barrister Bryan Keon-Cohen QC is the president of a group called "COIN", Commission of Inquiry Now, which is lobbying for victims of abuse by Catholic clergy in Victoria.

He says he'll be watching the progress of the inquiry with interest.

BRYAN KEON-COHEN: Well it's an interesting initiative. We'll need to look closely at the terms of reference. Presumably he will be independent and will be able to inquire without fear or favour.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: The terms of reference for the New South Wales inquiry are expected to be finalised later this week.

But Bishops Kennedy and Fisher say it is not intended to "supplant or replace" any investigations by the police or other authorities.

Victoria is holding a parliamentary inquiry into the criminal sexual abuse of children in any religious or other organisation.

The inquiry is being conducted by the Family and Community Development Committee.

It's made up of made up of six MPs, none of whom have any legal experience.

Bryan Keon-Cohen QC says it's inadequate.

BRYAN KEON-COHEN: The experience is that parliamentary committees are not independent of the appointing minister or the government.

There's a real fear that this Victorian committee will be very closely consulting with the Attorney and in a sense doing the government's bidding.

That's a matter of concern.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: What sort of powers would you be hoping Mr Whitlam has in New South Wales to be able compel witnesses to give evidence and perhaps seize documents as well?

BRYAN KEON-COHEN: Mr Whitlam, as I understand so far, is pursuing a private inquiry on behalf of a private organisation; being the two diocese of the Catholic Church in New South Wales. It's hard to know what his powers are and by force of what laws he will exercise those powers.

My suspicion is that he will be subject to the agreement of the Catholic Church as to what they will or will not reveal to him; that's a little troublesome. But I'm speculating, I haven't seen his terms of reference.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: The Labor MP for the Victorian seat of Broadmeadows, Frank McGuire, is the deputy chairman of the committee that's to conduct Victoria's parliamentary inquiry.

He agrees that investigations of this kind are best led by someone with legal experience.

FRANK MCGUIRE: When the Baillieu Government issued its terms of reference, my immediate response was that I thought it would be more appropriate if the inquiry was conducted by a retired Supreme Court judge, or an eminent Queen's Counsel, or senior counsel with expertise in this area.

Now that call was rejected by the Government. Nevertheless I'm persisting with my call that an eminent Queen's Counsel or senior counsel or retired judge at least is made available to assist the committee in its investigations, findings and recommendations to parliament.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: It's a slightly different situation in New South Wales, this inquiry that's been announced today is being set up by the church and we don't have the terms of reference yet but on the face of it do you think this is a good idea by the Catholic Church to have appointed a former Federal Court judge to lead the inquiry?

FRANK MCGUIRE: Well what the Catholic Church has done in New South Wales basically echoes my call; that this is investigation into criminal matters and have they been covered up?

If so, how did that happen? Was it systemic? Was it cultural? Was it generational? And what needs to be done in the future?

And that's the preferred option that I had and what I thought was more appropriate and at the end of the day I think it is more valuable in the public interest and for community trust.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: The Victorian government is standing by its decision to set up a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the sexual abuse of children.

It says it has full powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and produce documents but it less formal and legalistic than a Royal Commissi9on.

MARK COLVIN: Samantha Donovan.