Church commissioner: ‘independent’ from Melbourne archdiocese

By Pia Akerman
Australian
August 19, 2014

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/church-commissioner-independent-from-melbourne-archdiocese/story-fn59niix-1227029337408

THE QC leading the Melbourne archdiocese’s response to victims of clergy sex abuse has rejected claims his title of “independent commissioner” conceals the church’s proximity to his role.

Peter O’Callaghan QC has today given evidence at the royal commission hearing examining the archdiocese’s Melbourne Response process.

Mr O’Callaghan, who has been independent commissioner since the Melbourne Response began in 1996, told the commission he “absolutely”

believes he is independent from the archdiocese, though he is funded by it and uses the same instructing solicitors.

“I believe I have been independent in all respects,” he said.

“So far as I’m concerned, I make the decisions without fear or favour and without any influence from other persons.”

Victims who wish to seek compensation from the archdiocese under the Melbourne Response, established by then Archbishop George Pell, are required to meet with Mr O’Callaghan so he can investigate whether their claims meet the balance of probabilities.

They are then referred to a panel which decides the appropriate level of compensation, capped at $75,000, and advises the archdiocese of any punitive action it should take against the offender.