Child abuse inquiry recommendations stalled, by Jane Lee, Age (August 17, 2014)

There is a cloud over when all of the state inquiry's recommendations for preventing child abuse will be legislated, three months before the Victorian election.

The state inquiry into the handling of child abuse made the recommendations in its Betrayal of Trust report, which was tabled last November. The Coalition has so far only implemented three of its 15 recommendations, creating offences for grooming, failure to protect children from abuse and failure to disclose abuse. Reforms for a fourth - ensuring religious ministers have working with children checks - are before Parliament.

Attorney-General Robert Clark told a forum hosted by victims' support group Commission Of Inquiry Now on Friday that the government was working on laws and considering options for the other recommendations, which aim to make organisations more accountable for child abuse, and make it easier for victims to claim compensation.

Mr Clark would not say whether all would be implemented in the 12 sitting days before the November election: "We're working through each...and when we're in a position to do so we'll bring [proposed laws] to the Parliament particularly in relation to the civil redress, limitation of actions and civil liability provisions."

He would not say whether the government would hold an extra parliamentary sitting to ensure all the recommendations were implemented.

"We are taking our time to make sure we get the legislation right to bring it to Parliament...be it in this Parliament or if we are re-elected in the next Parliament."

Shadow minister for children Jenny Mikakos declined to present Labor's official policies on the recommendations at the forum, and would not say when they would be available: "I can't give a precise date but [they wil be] prior to the election."

Ms Mikakos said Labor still supported all the recommendations in principle and would consider the Coalition's proposed bills on their merits.