Anglican Church Official Pat Comben Quizzed in Royal Commission over Response to Child Sex Abuse at North Coast Children's Home

By Ashleigh Raper
The 7 News
November 25, 2013

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/20009008/anglican-church-pat-comben-official-quizzed-in-royal-commission-over-response-to-child-sex-abuse-at-north-coast-childrens-home/



The Royal Commission into child abuse has heard a former Anglican Church official responsible for responding to historic abuse claims did not pass on allegations to police.

The former registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, Pat Comben, today took the stand for a second day at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Mr Comben, who had previously served as Queensland education minister under premier Wayne Goss, was the first to receive claims about the North Coast Children's Home at Lismore.

He has faced intense scrutiny about the evidence given to the commission by former residents of the home about the physical and sexual abuse they suffered between the 1940s and 1980s.

Witnesses at the commission last week criticised Mr Comben's handling of the allegations and subsequent negotiations for compensation, with his actions described as cruel and inappropriate.

Today counsel assisting the commission Simeon Beckett questioned Mr Comben about his actions.

"You were in possession of serious allegations of child sexual abuse made against a number of people, some named, some unnamed," Mr Beckett said.

"You did not provide that information to police. Why was that?"

"I have no idea," Mr Comben said.

Mr Comben has relinquished his title of reverend, saying it is an admittance of his responsibility in mishandling the claims.

After he finished giving evidence, Mr Comben spoke outside the commission saying his defensive behaviour towards the class action was driven by the Diocese.

But he conceded he bears some responsibility and has relinquished his title as reverend.

"To show that some of us do have some guilt, some bad feelings about this," he said.

He says he also now questions his Christianity.

Official 'wrong' to launch media campaign

The former registrar was also questioned about an interview he gave to the Northern Star newspaper.

Last week a solicitor who represented former residents of the home, Simon Harrison, was critical of the interview.

"This wasn't to be a trial by media. It was very much a self-serving article that Reverend Comben was trying to put out there," Mr Harrison said.

Mr Comben told the commission he went to the media because he perceived the church was being bullied.

The commission's chairman, Justice Peter McClellan, asked if Mr Comben stood by that response.

"What do you think now, on reflection?" he asked.

"Oh, I was wrong," Mr Comben responded.

Justice McClellan also asked him whether a more sensible approach to a meeting with Mr Harrison would have allowed a result that was satisfactory to both sides.

"Neither of us appeared to be likely to give way and nor was there a middle course," Mr Comben said.

"I think, in truth, both Mr Harrison and I embarrassed both his assistants and I embarrassed my legal representatives."

The commission's chairman pushed him further.

"I have the sense... that you approached this meeting on the basis that there was no hope of achieving anything by way of a reasonable settlement. Is that right?" Justice McClellan asked.

"I think that's probably putting it a bit high, but I was pretty dubious," Mr Comben replied.