Millions for sex abuse Royal Commission went to insulation

Coffs Coast Advocate
May 28, 2014

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/money-sex-abuse-royal-commission/2272514/

Mr Abbott addressed Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's response to a letter sent to him regarding spying allegations.

MILLIONS of dollars in funding for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse have been redirected to the Abbott government's home insulation inquiry.

The change in funding was revealed in answers to Questions on Notice posed during February Senate Estimates hearings.

The royal commission chief Janette Dines has resigned.

Dines, praised as the driving force behind the royal commission which began in 2012, will leave the position on June 6.

The answers show the government reallocated $4 million in funds from the child sexual abuse inquiry to fund its Royal Commission on the home insulation program completed under the previous government.

Documents filed with the Senate say the money was redirected from "savings achieved in the 2013-14 capital budget" for the child sexual abuse inquiry.

A further $2.7 million in cash for the home insulation Royal Commission came from redirected funds that were deemed "not required in 2013-14 for financial assistance" for legal costs for witnesses to the other Royal Commission.

It is understood if further funding is required for the child sexual abuse Royal Commission, it will be provided.