Minister Explains Abuse Royal Commission Decision

ABC - 7.30
November 12, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3631175.htm

[with video]

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: Joining me now from Parliament House in Canberra is the Acting Minister for Families, Brendan O'Connor.

Mr O'Connor, what's triggered this Royal commission are child sex abuse allegations in the Catholic Church. Why not have a targeted, clearly-defined investigation into that institution?

BRENDAN O'CONNOR, ACTING MINISTER FOR FAMILIES: Well I think we've seen now the child sex abuse allegations come to light in such a broad way across the country that there needs to be an appropriate response. We've also seen state governments inquire into child sex abuse in a particularly confined way. The Federal Government had to make a decision, and indeed the Prime Minister has made that decision in consultation of course with cabinet, to recommend to the Governor-General that we establish a Royal commission because it's the best means by which we can ensure that we allow the victims' voices to be heard, allow claims to be investigated, and most importantly, perhaps, ensure that we examine thoroughly the institutional responses to child sex abuse.

LEIGH SALES: But my question is: why is the Royal commission not confined to the Catholic Church? Are you not running the risk of diluting it by broadening it and ensuring that it could go on for years, if not decades?

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well the child sex abuse offences and indeed allegations of child sex abuse are not confined to one church. They're not confined to one religious organisation. Unfortunately, offences against children have occurred to children in state care and indeed have occurred to children under the care in other religious organisations and of course also not-for-profit organisations. It would be very unfair and quite cruel to confine the examination - or the commission's examination to one body.

LEIGH SALES: Will this inquiry cover the Defence Department and the abuse of cadets?

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well, as the Prime Minister's already outlined, this is a focus on children. I mean, this is a ...

LEIGH SALES: Well, cadets are children; we're talking about 13 to 15-year-old cadets who were abused in the Defence Department.

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well there is an ongoing investigation into those matters. As I say to you, the focus will be as outlined by the Prime Minister, but we've already made clear that we'll be looking at ensuring that the composition of the commission and the terms of reference will be determined after consultation with those that feel that they want to be involved before year's end. So we want to get this done - that is, the architecture of the commission, before year's end because this is a very, very serious matter. I mean, just it is heartbreaking to hear the stories as outlined already on your show tonight.

LEIGH SALES: Indeed it is, and some of the most heartbreaking stories come out of Defence. It's a fairly straightforward question: will Defence be covered by this inquiry?

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well as I've said to you, that we have an investigation there. This is, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that it will be focused on those children in the care of - that have been under the care of religious organisations, in state care or not-for-profit organisations. I think that is a very broad parameter in which to examine the claims that are being made, but also to ensure we have a proper examination of institutions' responses to child sex abuse allegations.

LEIGH SALES: This sort of stuff dates back to the 1940s. As you said, it covers state institutions, churches of all denominations. We've seen scandal after scandal, victim after victim come forward. Why has it taken politicians so long to act on this?

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well I think these are very difficult decisions to make. We have already, as I said earlier, we have a parliamentary inquiry into child sex abuse in Victoria. We have also of course an investigation into the conduct of the police investigation of child sex allegations in NSW. The decision by this government to recommend to the Governor-General a Royal commission is a very significant one. And I think it's fair to say that there's been a breadth of information, a breadth of evidence to suggest that there is a failure, institutionally, to respond to what are the most heinous of crimes, ...

LEIGH SALES: But we've known that for years.

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: ... crimes against children.

LEIGH SALES: I'm just wondering why it's taken so long to get to a Royal commission.

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well you might want to ask that of earlier governments. This government is responding I think to the need to ensure that voices are heard by the victims and their families, that claims are properly investigated. I just had the - I just spoke to Brian Babington, the CEO of Families Australia, and have spoken to him about our engagement with organisations that represent the victims. This government wants to provide this forum, this process so that victims get an opportunity to tell their story, to have their story heard, and beyond that I think as a government we want to ensure through this vehicle, the Royal commission, that institutions that are primarily - or primarily caring for children are responding properly and adequately to those allegations that have been made. Now what we know to date is that has been not - has not been the case. We need to do better.

LEIGH SALES: Are politicians scared of the power of the Catholic Church? Is that one reason why it's taken so long to get to a Royal commission?

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well I think that's - that's I think an unreasonable proposition to put. I think it's fair to say that we need to make sure that we examine this properly. I think the Royal commission - if one was to say that a government is fearful of consequences and yet is establishing a Royal commission, I think people would not agree with that contention. I think a Royal commission of course has its own powers. In that sense, it will do its own job. The composition and the terms of reference will ensure that these matters are looked at across-the-board. I think it's also unfair to suggest that one organisation is responsible for child sex offences or failure to respond to those child sex abuse allegations. I think it's fair to say that this is an issue that goes well beyond one organisation and that's why we want to make sure that the terms of reference cover all organisations that may have had - may have experienced these failures by those organisations to respond.

LEIGH SALES: OK. Brendan O'Connor, thank you very much for your time tonight.

BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Thanks very much.