'Community Politics' in Abuse Claims

By Annette Blackwell
The Herald Sun
November 25, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/community-politics-in-abuse-claims/story-fni0xqi4-1226767864941



A FORMER politician who became registrar of a NSW Anglican diocese at the centre of an abuse inquiry has denied playing community politics over a group claim from people who suffered abuse.

Pat Comben, who served in the Queensland government in the 1990s was registrar at the diocese of Grafton when 42 former residents of the North Coast Children's Home started legal action over sexual, psychological and physical abuse at the home over for decades to the early 80s.

Mr Comben who is continuing his evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse said on Monday he sent out a press release in response to a story in the Northern Star about the allegations.

In the release, which was recalled after a legal threat by the solicitor for the claimants, Mr Comben said he saw "these matters as being a challenge to the very community of Lismore".

Some of the matters complained of, he said, might have been standard practice in Australia some decades ago.

When asked if he was referring to the sexual abuse committed by Anglican clergy he said he was referring to matters of the margin - such as use of kerosene to kill head lice, which were also included in the abuse claims.

His press release also said some of the complaints raised "are a potential affront to all those individuals who willingly gave their time and money to the home".

In reply to commission chair Justice Peter McClellan, Mr Comben said he was at pains to ensure people understood there were two sides to the issue and that he was hearing reports in the diocese that the home was well run.

He told the commission he had only spoken to abuse victim, Richard 'Tommy' Campion at that stage and not the other people involved.

Justice McClellan asked: "Did it occur to you perhaps you shouldn't be talking in an argumentative way until you had been able to talk to these people."

Mr Comben said the diocese was responding to a very argumentative view - "a very bullying view from the solicitors acting from the other side".

Justice McClellan said: "So once into the fight, you stayed there, is that the way it looks."

Mr Comben said it was, and on reflection, "I was wrong".

The hearing also heard of an acrimonious meeting between Mr Simon Harrison, solicitor for the 42 claimants and the lawyers for the diocese, at which Mr Comben was present.

Mr Comben said that both he and Mr Harrison embarrassed others at that meeting.