The Royal Commission will hold a public hearing to inquire into the current policies and procedures of Catholic Church authorities in Australia in relation to child-protection and child-safety standards, including responding to allegations of child sexual abuse.
The public hearing will commence on 6 February 2017 at the Royal Commission’s hearing rooms in Sydney.
Location
The hearing will be held at Level 17, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney.
The purpose of this public hearing is not to inquire into individual sets of facts or particular events as has occurred in previous Royal Commission case studies.
The Royal Commission may invite selected individuals or organisations to speak to, or give evidence about, the submissions they have previously provided, however it is not proposed that leave to appear will be granted to these individuals or organisations, on the basis that they are speaking or giving evidence in this capacity.
It is not essential for others who give evidence in a hearing to apply for leave to appear – witnesses may give evidence without applying for leave.
Any person or institution wishing to seek leave to appear is invited to lodge a written application for leave to appear at the public hearings by 7 December 2016
Applications for leave to appear should be made using the form available here.