CHILD Abuse Inquiry's Terms of Ref Delayed

9 News
December 21, 2012

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/12/21/13/00/commission-terms-of-reference-delayed

A leading child protection advocate group isn't worried the federal government has delayed settlement of the terms of reference for a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse until next year.

The Labor government on Friday said while work was continuing to establish the commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse, the terms of reference now won't be available until January, instead of this month.

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston told AAP while it would have been nice to have the terms of reference finalised before Christmas, the delay wasn't an issue as long as the government got it right.

"There's so much resting on this, we shouldn't be rushing it," she said.

"If they're not happy, I'd rather it be delayed than to get it wrong.

"They're clearly canvassing a wide range of views and they don't want to get it wrong either."

Broken Rites Australia, another group that helps victims of church-related sexual abuse, agreed it was important for the government to get it right.

"It's important for the commission to be well organised," spokesman Dr Bernard Barrett said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard originally wanted the inquiry, which is likely to take years and involve thousands of individuals, to be established by the end of this year so it could begin work in early 2013.

However, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon on Friday said more than 800 individuals and organisations had provided input into the terms of reference so far, including 600 comments by email and 200 formal written submissions.

"This Royal Commission must have a clear focus, the best people and the resources necessary to identify how we can prevent these terrible failures from happening again," Ms Roxon said.

Some of the suggestions revolved around designing the hearing process so victims feel supported in preparing and giving evidence.

Respondents called for the victims to be able to report abuse to police to seek justice, although it was recognised many people wouldn't seek criminal or civil redress.

There were calls to ensure the resulting recommendations of the commission were implemented in a timely manner and that the inquiry reported regularly.

Despite the delay, Ms Roxon said a number of significant decisions had already been made on how the commission would operate.

There will be between three and five commissions and the inquiry's initial report will be delivered within 18 months.

A shortlist of commissioners has been compiled and the appointments will be announced in the new year.

A taskforce has also been set up to evaluate the operational needs of the commission, such as identifying potential premises.

The commission into how child sex abuse allegations have been handled by religious, community and state institutions, was announced by Ms Gillard on November 12.

Submissions to the government about the commission closed on November 26.