Govt Wants Help to Shape Royal Commission

The Sbs
November 19, 2012

www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1712801/Govt-wants-help-to-shape-royal-commission

The government wants victims of child sexual abuse to make suggestions for the terms of reference for a royal commission into the matter.

The federal government has allowed barely a week for Australians to help shape the terms of reference for a royal commission into child sexual abuse.

The tight deadline reflects Prime Minister Julia Gillard's wish for the inquiry, which is likely to take years and involve thousands of individuals, to be established by the end of this year so it can begin its work in early 2013.

Ms Gillard last week announced the planned a royal commission to investigate how child sex abuse allegations have been handled by religious, community and state institutions.

Labor on Monday released a consultation paper asking for public submissions on the scope of the terms of reference, the form of the commission, the number of commissioners and reporting arrangements, by close of business on November 26.

Ms Gillard told reporters in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Monday that she hoped people would respond in the time but would receive submissions "beyond that timeframe".

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and acting families minister Brendan O'Connor, who are leading the work to set up of the commission, want all stakeholders, especially child sexual abuse survivors and their families and advocates, to take part.

"Getting the groundwork right is essential as it ensures that the royal commission will be able to effectively investigate responses to instances and allegations of child sexual abuse in institutions," the ministers said in a statement.

The consultation paper says the royal commission should find ways to identify any policy or reforms "to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children is central to the policies and practices of all organisations who engage with children".

It notes the royal commission is not a substitute for criminal investigations and any statements made during the inquiry could not be used in court proceedings.

But it can refer any relevant matters to police and wants to give victims the opportunity to share their experiences.

The government says the states and territories have already signalled their willingness to co-operate with the commonwealth during the inquiry to ensure the commission has access to any government information it needs.

Earlier on Monday, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the federal government should fund the lion's share of the commission's costs.

"This is going to be a national royal commission, and I think that does make it first and foremost the responsibility of the national government," he told reporters in Canberra.

Asked whether the states should contribute, Mr Abbott said it was an issue the prime minister would need to discuss with the premiers.

Ms Gillard played down questions of funding on Monday.

"I don't think any of this should be bogged down on questions of financing or money," she said.

"What I've got in my mind is how we can best make this work."

Cabinet minister Chris Evans said some victims may benefit from sharing their stories, despite suggestions testimony from a large number of victims could make the commission unwieldy.

"Individual submissions and stories will be a necessary part of understanding of what has gone wrong in the past," he told the Senate on Monday.

"In addition, it may be that sharing these stories will be helpful for some survivors of child sexual abuse."

A government call centre established on Friday to take details of those wanting to participate has already logged 170 calls. Names and contact details will be added to a register to be given to the commission's secretariat.

The consultation paper is available on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet's website (www.pmc.gov.au)