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| Child sexual abuse royal commission delivers final report – live | Child sexual abuse royal commission delivers final report – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Reckoning – part two | |
| The second part of Guardian Australia’s podcast on the royal commission – The Reckoning – has just been released. | |
| Featuring David Marr and Melissa Davey, this episode follows the hearings of the royal commission, from the witness testimony in Ballarat (“a town steeped in this history of abuse”) to the final hearings in Sydney. | |
| Warning: the podcast contains material that is is explicit and upsetting | |
| You can listen to part one – the road to the royal commission – here. | |
| Hart says the commission is being “seriously regarded” by the Holy See. | |
| “There is a point of contact now within the secretariat of state from which we can feed the information here, the decisions, I’m sure the recommendations of the royal commission, straightaway, so that the Holy See will know what is proposed and will be able to consider it. So I think that represents a great step forward.” | |
| The press conference comes to an end. | |
| Hart finishes by saying: “I hope this is an opportunity for us all to move forward courageously where there are difficulties and try and work together for the welfare of all Australians.” | |
| The reporters are going quite hard on Hart’s refusal to support breaking the confessional seal to report abusers. | |
| Question: What if you could save some people from abuse by breaking that seal? After all that’s happened and all that has come out in the royal commission? | |
| Hart: “I would feel terribly conflicted, and I would try even harder to get that person outside confessional, but I cannot break the seal. The penalty for any priest breaking the seal is excommunication, being cast out of the church, so it’s a real, serious, spiritual matter, and I want to observe the law of the land, and I want to do everything I can to end this awful scourge, and I’m committed to that.” | |
| Question: You would rather not be excommunicated from the church rather than have one extra child abuser as a result of that decision? | |
| Hart: “I know it’s a terrible proposition. I admit the proposition. I would say to you, though, it’s a very, very long bow that anyone would come to me in confession.” | |
| Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart says if he was told about child abuse in confession: "I would feel terribly conflicted. But I cannot break the seal." .... "The penalty for breaking the seal is excommunication." #RoyalCommission @abcmelbourne @abcnews pic.twitter.com/4pFvEIi41w | |
| Asked why it took a royal commission to reveal the extent of abuse, Hart says the Catholic church has been “at the forefront of trying to do the right thing”. | |
| “I’ve only been a bishop since 1997, so I really came in at a time when the Melbourne response towards healing existed,and there was an increasing awareness, and the removal of priests from the industry who had offended, so in one sense the work had already commenced.” | |
| Pushed further on why the church hadn’t investigated beyond the criticised Melbourne response, for instance turning it over to authorities | |
| “I think it’s taken time for bishops to realise the seriousness of the matter, and others would say the idea of an organisation investigating itself – I’m not saying that as an excuse,” he says. | |
| “I certainly admit we could and should have done more. I’m grateful to the royal commission because I don’t think we could have done it in the forensic, objective way right across the community that this terrible evil demands.” | |
| Asked for a personal reflection on the way the church has dealt with complainants, Hart says he thinks it’s been “a slow learning curve”. | |
| “My own personal reflection is that we could have done great things more quickly. But moving along, little by little, I think the royal commission has been the stimulus.” | |
| Contrary to the statements of many Catholic church representatives, Archbishop Hart does not think the commission has damaged the credibility of the church. | |
| I would say that we are diminished because our people are sad at what has happened. Many people are angry at the betrayal of the trust that should have been able to be given to leaders and priests and so on. So I think the situation has changed. | |
| We have a lot of ground to recover, and in recovering that ground we have to show not only in the area of child protection but in other areas that we are walking forward with our society, that we are a humble church, recognising we are a church of sinners, but we are also a church that will walk forwards in the areas that are so important, and the most important is the whole question of eradicating child sexual abuse.” | |
| First up Hart is asked about the recommendation for an end to protection of the confessional. | |
| He’s sticking to his previous statements that he’s committed to the sacredness of the confessional, and doesn’t think canon law will change. | |
| BREAKING: The archbishop of the archdiocese of Melbourne, Denis Hart, has just reiterated his comments from August that "the seal of the confessional" can't be broken, even if someone reports child sexual abuse in confession. Priest will not report to police, says Hart. | |
| The commission recommended it be made a criminal offence not to report a confession of child abuse, even if made under the seal of the confession. | |
| “The seal of the confessional, or the relationship with God that’s carried through the priest and with the person, is inviolable. It can’t be broken. And the cardinal secretary of state mentioned that and notified the bishops even as recently as last month.” | |
| Hart says he wouldn’t give absolution to someone who confessed to child sexual abuse until they took themselves to the authorities. If a child told him they had been abused he would guide them to parents or teachers “to see that that was reported”. | |
| “I couldn’t report the abuse from what I heard in the confessional but I would be trying to do everything I could to get the person outside and say, hey, what you are doing is really serious and criminal, and for the good of society and your own good, we’ve got to go to the authorities, so I would be very strong on that.” | |
| Asked if church law is more important than the law of the land, Hart says he reveres the law of the land and trusts it, “but this is a sacred, spiritual charge before God which I must honour, and I have to try and do what I can do with both”. | |
| Hart however, does anticipate the Catholic bishops conference will take to the Holy See a recommendation that canon law be changed to relax compulsory celibacy for clergy. | |
| Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart is speaking now. | Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart is speaking now. |
| “I reiterate on behalf of the Catholic bishops and religious leaders, our unconditional apology for this suffering and our commitment to ensuring justice for those affected.” | “I reiterate on behalf of the Catholic bishops and religious leaders, our unconditional apology for this suffering and our commitment to ensuring justice for those affected.” |
| He says the Truth Justice and Healing Council’s assessment of the report should be completed by early 2018. | He says the Truth Justice and Healing Council’s assessment of the report should be completed by early 2018. |
| He says national coverage by a redress scheme will not be possible without the cooperation of all Australian states and territories. | |
| “It is now time for state governments and all of us to act. | |
| “Central to this royal commission is the painful truth that so many children were abused, trust was destroyed and innocence lost. They are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.” | |
| The $52.1m redress scheme will be up and operational and taking applications at 1 July next year, Porter pledges. | |
| He says given the amount of consultation involved – describing it as one of the most difficult professional tasks of his life – he couldn’t realistically see it happening any faster. | |
| “I believe over the next several weeks we will see churches and institutions opting in, and that took an enormous amount of consultation with the advisory committee to get very difficult issues like ... restrictions on former offenders being able to apply ... designed in an appropriate way that people can be satisfied with and which engages public confidence and makes it a doable scheme ... | |
| “The worst ... possible thing is the lack of response. They should respond in principle quickly.” | |
| Regarding other Australian jurisdictions, Porter says: “I would expect most state attorney-generals and ministers responsible will be giving you some kind of indication in the next couple of days. That is an answer that only those jurisdictions can provide.” | |
| Social services minister Christian Porter is addressing media. | Social services minister Christian Porter is addressing media. |
| Porter has thanked the commissioners and all the survivors and witnesses who told their stories. | Porter has thanked the commissioners and all the survivors and witnesses who told their stories. |
| “The royal commission is a process of recognition and validation for all the survivors,” he said, and today was a day that was first, foremost and fundamentally about recognising them. However, he did take questions. | “The royal commission is a process of recognition and validation for all the survivors,” he said, and today was a day that was first, foremost and fundamentally about recognising them. However, he did take questions. |
| Asked about what he would take to COAG, Porter responds: | Asked about what he would take to COAG, Porter responds: |
| “When you look across the recommendations it is inevitable that some will be resolved by all state jurisdictions. Many are matters that pertain directly to state and territory laws so COAG will be a necessary measure. But we need to look and ingest the recommendations. We need to look at the best way forward and that all the structures at our disposal.” | “When you look across the recommendations it is inevitable that some will be resolved by all state jurisdictions. Many are matters that pertain directly to state and territory laws so COAG will be a necessary measure. But we need to look and ingest the recommendations. We need to look at the best way forward and that all the structures at our disposal.” |
| On whether there were any problematic recommendations: | On whether there were any problematic recommendations: |
| “We ... will consider the recommendations but it would be less than honest if we pretended that there is simplicity in the way which responses will occur.” | “We ... will consider the recommendations but it would be less than honest if we pretended that there is simplicity in the way which responses will occur.” |
| Porter says the government has a track record of responding quickly to recommendations and the interim report. | Porter says the government has a track record of responding quickly to recommendations and the interim report. |
| “We have not done anything other than respond swiftly with every mechanism in our disposal to make sure we can put in place the proper reform settings to ensure these horrific events do not systemically occur into the future.” | “We have not done anything other than respond swiftly with every mechanism in our disposal to make sure we can put in place the proper reform settings to ensure these horrific events do not systemically occur into the future.” |
| How long will people have to wait to see change? | How long will people have to wait to see change? |
| Porter again notes the complexity of what’s needed. | Porter again notes the complexity of what’s needed. |
| “Where we have been directly responsible and able to show leadership, we have done it. Our track record is one of responding quickly and forcibly with every resource at our disposal and we will keep doing that.” | “Where we have been directly responsible and able to show leadership, we have done it. Our track record is one of responding quickly and forcibly with every resource at our disposal and we will keep doing that.” |
| Would he consider raising the compensation cap from $150,000 to $200,000? | Would he consider raising the compensation cap from $150,000 to $200,000? |
| In a word, no. | In a word, no. |
| Porter says the government has “fully or substantially” adopted 63 of the 74 redress recommendations. Seven were partially adopted, including that recommendation. | Porter says the government has “fully or substantially” adopted 63 of the 74 redress recommendations. Seven were partially adopted, including that recommendation. |
| “We chose that $150,000 figure understanding that no amount of money can place people in a position they were in before those dreadful events happened. We wanted a low legal hurdle system and one that makes the most opt in from churches and other institutions and jurisdictions. It was determined on because that payment would allow maximum opt in.” | “We chose that $150,000 figure understanding that no amount of money can place people in a position they were in before those dreadful events happened. We wanted a low legal hurdle system and one that makes the most opt in from churches and other institutions and jurisdictions. It was determined on because that payment would allow maximum opt in.” |
| What of jurisdictions that have indicated they won’t opt in to the national redress scheme? | What of jurisdictions that have indicated they won’t opt in to the national redress scheme? |
| Porter says several jurisdictions have indicated they’re likely to join. | Porter says several jurisdictions have indicated they’re likely to join. |
| “South Australia has indicated they are not inclined to join the national scheme. The remaining jurisdictions, Northern Territory and the ACT are likely to join. And we will use our constitutional powers to compel them to join if it comes to that but that is unlikely.” | “South Australia has indicated they are not inclined to join the national scheme. The remaining jurisdictions, Northern Territory and the ACT are likely to join. And we will use our constitutional powers to compel them to join if it comes to that but that is unlikely.” |
| Will the government reconsider the ban on convicted criminals accessing compensation? [Turnbull made comments this morning suggesting it might]. | Will the government reconsider the ban on convicted criminals accessing compensation? [Turnbull made comments this morning suggesting it might]. |
| “It is a final position. This is the issue with respect to the fact that we have drawn a line around taking applications from people who have committed a serious criminal offence and have spent five years or more in prison and the determination based on 12 months of consultation with many institutions and advisory committees, it is absolutely necessary around a full national opt in redress scheme is public confidence.” | “It is a final position. This is the issue with respect to the fact that we have drawn a line around taking applications from people who have committed a serious criminal offence and have spent five years or more in prison and the determination based on 12 months of consultation with many institutions and advisory committees, it is absolutely necessary around a full national opt in redress scheme is public confidence.” |
| Malcolm Turnbull has announced the government will provide $52.1m “to ensure there is support and assistance for victims throughout the process of accessing redress”. | Malcolm Turnbull has announced the government will provide $52.1m “to ensure there is support and assistance for victims throughout the process of accessing redress”. |
| It will also establish a taskforce to coordinate action on the report’s recommendations and track the progress of all Australian governments. It will start in January and run for 18 months. | It will also establish a taskforce to coordinate action on the report’s recommendations and track the progress of all Australian governments. It will start in January and run for 18 months. |
| “The joint select committee on the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse – oversight of redress related recommendations, will be chaired by Senator Derryn Hinch,” said Turnbull. | “The joint select committee on the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse – oversight of redress related recommendations, will be chaired by Senator Derryn Hinch,” said Turnbull. |
| The federal government won’t respond to the report in full until the new year. | The federal government won’t respond to the report in full until the new year. |
| The Truth Justice and Healing Council says many of the recommendations relating to the Catholic Church “seem to be very sensible and practical”. | The Truth Justice and Healing Council says many of the recommendations relating to the Catholic Church “seem to be very sensible and practical”. |
| Francis Sullivan, chief executive of the council which coordinates the Catholic Church’s response to the commission, said the commission identified “a range of factors” that might have contributed to abuse in Catholic institutions. | Francis Sullivan, chief executive of the council which coordinates the Catholic Church’s response to the commission, said the commission identified “a range of factors” that might have contributed to abuse in Catholic institutions. |
| What now needs to be made clear by the Church leadership is that they take these recommendations and findings seriously and that they are willing to act swiftly in implementing the findings. | What now needs to be made clear by the Church leadership is that they take these recommendations and findings seriously and that they are willing to act swiftly in implementing the findings. |
| This process will start with the TJHC doing a comprehensive analysis of the report and in particular the recommendations that relate either generally or specifically to the Catholic church. We expect to have this report finalised and provided to the church leadership early in 2018. | This process will start with the TJHC doing a comprehensive analysis of the report and in particular the recommendations that relate either generally or specifically to the Catholic church. We expect to have this report finalised and provided to the church leadership early in 2018. |
| While there have been many changes over the past 20 years to the way in which the Catholic church responds to the survivors of child sexual abuse, there is still much to be done. | While there have been many changes over the past 20 years to the way in which the Catholic church responds to the survivors of child sexual abuse, there is still much to be done. |
| The work of rebuilding trust and confidence in the Catholic church will be hard and will take many years. This report and its findings provide, at the very least, a way in which this can be achieved. It is essential that every element of the Catholic church in Australia commits to the serious business ahead. | The work of rebuilding trust and confidence in the Catholic church will be hard and will take many years. This report and its findings provide, at the very least, a way in which this can be achieved. It is essential that every element of the Catholic church in Australia commits to the serious business ahead. |
| Many of the recommendations are consistent with recommendations made by the TJHC throughout the commission’s issues papers process.” | Many of the recommendations are consistent with recommendations made by the TJHC throughout the commission’s issues papers process.” |
| The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference should request the Holy See to amend aspects of canon law – including that which dictates celibacy – the royal commission has recommended. | The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference should request the Holy See to amend aspects of canon law – including that which dictates celibacy – the royal commission has recommended. |
| Among the recommendations are several calling for the conference to ask the pope to amend or create new laws that: | Among the recommendations are several calling for the conference to ask the pope to amend or create new laws that: |
| Consider establishing an Australian tribunal for trying canonical disciplinary cases against clergy | Consider establishing an Australian tribunal for trying canonical disciplinary cases against clergy |
| ensure Vatican Congregations and canonical appeal courts always publish [in a timely manner] decisions in disciplinary matters relating to child sexual abuse, and provide written reasons for their decisions [unless suppression is required to protect a victim] | ensure Vatican Congregations and canonical appeal courts always publish [in a timely manner] decisions in disciplinary matters relating to child sexual abuse, and provide written reasons for their decisions [unless suppression is required to protect a victim] |
| Remove the requirement to destroy documents relating to canonical criminal cases in matters of morals, where the accused cleric has died or ten years have elapsed from the condemnatory sentence | Remove the requirement to destroy documents relating to canonical criminal cases in matters of morals, where the accused cleric has died or ten years have elapsed from the condemnatory sentence |
| Amend the ‘imputability’ test in canon law so that a diagnosis of paedophilia is not relevant to the prosecution of or penalty for a canonical offence relating to child sexual abuse | Amend the ‘imputability’ test in canon law so that a diagnosis of paedophilia is not relevant to the prosecution of or penalty for a canonical offence relating to child sexual abuse |
| Consider introducing voluntary celibacy for diocesan clergy | Consider introducing voluntary celibacy for diocesan clergy |
| In September a report, which looked at findings from commissions and inquiries across the globe, found Catholic sexual abuse was partly caused by secrecy and mandatory celibacy. | In September a report, which looked at findings from commissions and inquiries across the globe, found Catholic sexual abuse was partly caused by secrecy and mandatory celibacy. |
| BREAKING: THIS IS BIG - Royal Commission recommends Holy See consider introducing voluntary celibacy for diocesan clergy pic.twitter.com/HE13tQkI7e | BREAKING: THIS IS BIG - Royal Commission recommends Holy See consider introducing voluntary celibacy for diocesan clergy pic.twitter.com/HE13tQkI7e |
| There has been a bit of attention on one particular recommendation - that religious confessions no longer be protected and that failing to report child sexual abuse should be a criminal offence - but this is one that had actually come out already earlier this year. | There has been a bit of attention on one particular recommendation - that religious confessions no longer be protected and that failing to report child sexual abuse should be a criminal offence - but this is one that had actually come out already earlier this year. |
| At the time, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, upset many abuse survivors and advocates when he said he would risk going to jail rather than report allegations of child sexual abuse raised during confession. | At the time, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, upset many abuse survivors and advocates when he said he would risk going to jail rather than report allegations of child sexual abuse raised during confession. |
| He said the sacredness of communication with God during confession should be above the law. | He said the sacredness of communication with God during confession should be above the law. |
| In a statement issued on Friday Hart said abuse within Catholic institutions was “a shameful past, in which a prevailing culture of secrecy and self-protection led to unnecessary suffering for many victims and their families”. | In a statement issued on Friday Hart said abuse within Catholic institutions was “a shameful past, in which a prevailing culture of secrecy and self-protection led to unnecessary suffering for many victims and their families”. |
| “Once again I reiterate my unconditional apology for this suffering and a commitment to ensuring justice for those affected,” he said. | “Once again I reiterate my unconditional apology for this suffering and a commitment to ensuring justice for those affected,” he said. |
| Hart did not address the topic of confession in today’s statement, but the archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, is expected to hold a press conference any minute now. | Hart did not address the topic of confession in today’s statement, but the archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, is expected to hold a press conference any minute now. |
| Blue Knot Foundation president Dr Cathy Kezelman says the report has identified “fundamental flaws in existing regulatory and compliance mechanisms and notable blocks to justice in our wider legal and justice system”. | Blue Knot Foundation president Dr Cathy Kezelman says the report has identified “fundamental flaws in existing regulatory and compliance mechanisms and notable blocks to justice in our wider legal and justice system”. |
| Blue Knot is a national organisation supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma. | Blue Knot is a national organisation supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma. |
| “At the very least we need consistency across our criminal and civil litigation jurisdictions so that perpetrators and institutions are brought to account and victims have access to a non-re-traumatising civil process,” Kezelman says, calling for trauma-informed training for police, lawyers and justice personnel. | “At the very least we need consistency across our criminal and civil litigation jurisdictions so that perpetrators and institutions are brought to account and victims have access to a non-re-traumatising civil process,” Kezelman says, calling for trauma-informed training for police, lawyers and justice personnel. |
| “If the findings tell us nothing else, it’s that we urgently need all parties to take moral accountability and use the power, once wielded to protect perpetrators and institutions, to work together without delay in protecting the human rights and dignity of our children and citizens. | “If the findings tell us nothing else, it’s that we urgently need all parties to take moral accountability and use the power, once wielded to protect perpetrators and institutions, to work together without delay in protecting the human rights and dignity of our children and citizens. |
| “The Commission has been ground-breaking. It’s critical that we don’t now close the book on its work and the thousands who believed in its processes.” | “The Commission has been ground-breaking. It’s critical that we don’t now close the book on its work and the thousands who believed in its processes.” |
| The archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, has promised the report “will not sit on any shelf”. | The archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, has promised the report “will not sit on any shelf”. |
| I will study the findings and recommendations carefully, and then provide a detailed response as we discern, with the rest of the community, the best way forward. | I will study the findings and recommendations carefully, and then provide a detailed response as we discern, with the rest of the community, the best way forward. |
| Many of the findings and recommendations will come as no surprise, as they have been touched upon during the life of the Royal Commission; others will require further examination. | Many of the findings and recommendations will come as no surprise, as they have been touched upon during the life of the Royal Commission; others will require further examination. |
| But what I can say is that I’m appalled by the sinful and criminal activity of some clergy, religious and lay church-workers, that I’m ashamed of the failure to respond by some church leaders, and that I stand ready to address any systemic issues behind this.” | But what I can say is that I’m appalled by the sinful and criminal activity of some clergy, religious and lay church-workers, that I’m ashamed of the failure to respond by some church leaders, and that I stand ready to address any systemic issues behind this.” |
| Fisher said the Catholic church in Australia had been trying to respond to the concerns for the past two decades, and had “come a long way from where we were when most of these terrible crimes occurred in the 1960s, 70s and 80s”, but there was always more the be done. | Fisher said the Catholic church in Australia had been trying to respond to the concerns for the past two decades, and had “come a long way from where we were when most of these terrible crimes occurred in the 1960s, 70s and 80s”, but there was always more the be done. |
| This post was amended to correctly identify the Catholic archbishop, Anthony Fisher. | This post was amended to correctly identify the Catholic archbishop, Anthony Fisher. |
| “The churches and charities no longer wield the power over the poor and the voiceless,” says Leonie Sheedy, head of the Care Leavers Network. | “The churches and charities no longer wield the power over the poor and the voiceless,” says Leonie Sheedy, head of the Care Leavers Network. |
| “You know, governments have to take these recommendations seriously and not give sway to those powerful churches – they were powerful in the past. They’re no longer powerful. You know, the little people have risen up, we’ve found our voices and we’re never ever going to be quiet.” | “You know, governments have to take these recommendations seriously and not give sway to those powerful churches – they were powerful in the past. They’re no longer powerful. You know, the little people have risen up, we’ve found our voices and we’re never ever going to be quiet.” |
| Sheedy said she and others would continue to advocate for redress and change in every Australian jurisdiction, with participation from every state, territory and institution. She accused South Australia of “dragging the chain” on national redress. | Sheedy said she and others would continue to advocate for redress and change in every Australian jurisdiction, with participation from every state, territory and institution. She accused South Australia of “dragging the chain” on national redress. |
| “We demand the prime minister and Bill Shorten and Richard Di Natale – this needs to be bipartisan and you need to care about all Australian children and all of us who are elderly care leavers and probably end up in a nursing home and that’s probably our greatest fear – that we’ll be re-interfered with by aged care facilities, they even name some of those nursing homes the same names as our orphanages we grew up in. How traumatic will that be for people like us?” | “We demand the prime minister and Bill Shorten and Richard Di Natale – this needs to be bipartisan and you need to care about all Australian children and all of us who are elderly care leavers and probably end up in a nursing home and that’s probably our greatest fear – that we’ll be re-interfered with by aged care facilities, they even name some of those nursing homes the same names as our orphanages we grew up in. How traumatic will that be for people like us?” |
| Sheedy appeared on ABC holding a sign which read “thank you Julia Gillard”. | Sheedy appeared on ABC holding a sign which read “thank you Julia Gillard”. |
| “It took the first female prime minister and it took an atheist. We would never have gotten this royal commission, we would ever have got the light shone on our horrific histories if it hadn’t been for Julia. A huge, sincere thanks, Julia Gillard, from all care leavers of Australia.” | “It took the first female prime minister and it took an atheist. We would never have gotten this royal commission, we would ever have got the light shone on our horrific histories if it hadn’t been for Julia. A huge, sincere thanks, Julia Gillard, from all care leavers of Australia.” |
| Yesterday McClellan presented the National Library of Australia with a book of around 1,000 messages handwritten by survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. | Yesterday McClellan presented the National Library of Australia with a book of around 1,000 messages handwritten by survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. |
| Survivors’ share their experiences and their hopes for creating a safer environment for children in the future. A slideshow containing all the messages in the ‘Message to Australia’ book can be found here. | Survivors’ share their experiences and their hopes for creating a safer environment for children in the future. A slideshow containing all the messages in the ‘Message to Australia’ book can be found here. |
| I’ll be publishing some of them throughout the live coverage of the report and its findings | I’ll be publishing some of them throughout the live coverage of the report and its findings |
| A key recommendation in the report calls for the federal government to establish a National Office for Child Safety, sitting within the department of prime minister and cabinet, with its first job to develop a national framework to prevent child sexual abuse. | A key recommendation in the report calls for the federal government to establish a National Office for Child Safety, sitting within the department of prime minister and cabinet, with its first job to develop a national framework to prevent child sexual abuse. |
| Within 18 months the office should become a statutory body. | Within 18 months the office should become a statutory body. |
| The federal government should also create a federal ministerial portfolio overseeing children’s policy issues including the to-be-developed national framework. | The federal government should also create a federal ministerial portfolio overseeing children’s policy issues including the to-be-developed national framework. |
| The framework should: | The framework should: |
| Commit governments to improving the safety of all children by implementing longterm child safety initiatives, with appropriate resources, and holding them to account | Commit governments to improving the safety of all children by implementing longterm child safety initiatives, with appropriate resources, and holding them to account |
| Be endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments and overseen by a joint ministerial body | Be endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments and overseen by a joint ministerial body |
| Commence after the expiration of the current National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, no later than 2020 | Commence after the expiration of the current National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, no later than 2020 |
| Cover broader child safety issues, as well as specific initiatives to better prevent and respond to institutional child sexual abuse including initiatives recommended by the Royal Commission | Cover broader child safety issues, as well as specific initiatives to better prevent and respond to institutional child sexual abuse including initiatives recommended by the Royal Commission |
| Include links to other related policy frameworks | Include links to other related policy frameworks |