NO Need for Abuse Comment Apology: Barnett

9 News
November 19, 2012

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/11/20/02/00/no-need-for-abuse-comment-apology-barnett

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the state opposition's response to his comments about the royal commission into child sex abuse was wrong and inappropriate.

Opposition child protection spokeswoman Sue Ellery called on the premier to apologise to victims of child abuse after he told ABC radio that the far-reaching national inquiry announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week could destroy institutions around the country.

Mr Barnett said he held grave concerns about the legacy the massive inquiry may leave on the organisations investigated and the victims involved.

The premier said he hoped the royal commission would achieve positive outcomes, "but I also fear for the negativity that could come out of it".

"I think you will see many people's lives destroyed. I think you will see many of Australia's institutions - which may have been at fault - also destroyed, and great divisions in the community," he told ABC radio.

But Ms Ellery said the premier's reservations made light of the abuse suffered by many people over many years, saying his comments showed "an appalling lack of sensitivity", and that the royal commission would be an important part of the healing process for victims.

"Most Western Australians would be appalled that the premier appears more concerned about protecting the perpetrators than providing a platform to investigate abuse claims," she said.

However, Mr Barnett said Ms Ellery's comments were wrong and inappropriate.

Mr Barnett said the WA government's concern for the victims of child sexual abuse had been illustrated by its efforts with the St Andrew's Hostel inquiry earlier this year, conducted by former Supreme Court Justice Peter Blaxell.

The inquiry initially focused on events in the 1970s and 1980s at the St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning, run by notorious pedophile brothers Dennis and Neil McKenna, and was later expanded to St Christopher's Hostel in Northam, Hardie House in South Hedland and St Michael's House in Merredin.

"The WA government also made ex-gratia payments to more than 5000 survivors of child abuse in a scheme that closed last year," Mr Barnett said later on Monday.

"This scheme allowed victims of child abuse an opportunity to tell their story and for the first time for many to be believed.

"As I said in this (ABC radio) interview and on many other occasions, Western Australia will fully co-operate with the royal commission announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard."