Child Abuse Royal Commission Granted Extension

Pro Bono
September 2, 2014

http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/09/child-abuse-royal-commission-granted-extension#

The Federal Government has agreed to an extension for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse for a further two years.

The Governor-General will be asked to amend the current Letters Patent to enable the Royal Commission to deliver its final report by December 15 2017.

The Attorney-General Senator George Brandis says he met the Chair of the Royal Commission, Justice Peter McClellan AM, on two occasions since the beginning of this year, to discuss the future program and additional needs of the Commission.  

“On both of those occasions, Justice McClellan was assured, given the importance of the work in which it was embarked, the Government would look favourably upon any request for an extension of the Royal Commission reporting date.

“Justice McClellan has assured the Government that this extension will be sufficient for the Commission to complete its work.”

The extension will give the Commission the capacity to hear more stories from victims, conduct more public hearings and issue additional interim reports.

“Institutions responsible for the care of children will be able to continue to learn from the ongoing work of the inquiry and be better able to prevent child sexual abuse from happening,” Sen Brandis said.

“The Commission will continue to consult with experts, stakeholders and the community so that any recommendations made by the Commission are practical and respond to contemporary issues in child protection.”

The Government said it will provide additional funding of up to $125 million as part of the extension for the Commission and associated costs.