[Greens-Media] Media Release: NSW Upper House supports Royal Commission into child sexual abuse

[David Shoebridge]

NSW Upper House supports Royal Commission into child sexual abuse
 
The NSW Upper House this afternoon unanimously supported a motion moved
by Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge supporting the Commonwealth Royal
Commission announced by the Prime Minister yesterday and acknowledging
the need for close cooperation by the NSW government. Full wording of
the motion below.
 
Greens NSW MP and Justice spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
 
"The federal government’s announcement of a Royal Commission into child
sexual abuse is a victory for victims and survivors of abuse and those
courageous individuals who have spoken up and demanded action.
 
"Over the coming weeks and months there will need to be close attention
paid to the proposed terms of reference of the federal Royal
Commission.
 
"The NSW Upper House today called for a co-operative relationship
between the NSW government and any federal Royal Commission. 
 
"At the end of the day it is the states, and not the Commonwealth, who
have the primary responsibility for childprotection, child welfare and
the criminal law. 
 
"An important next step is for a joint appointment of a Royal
Commissioner for NSW under state and federal laws, to ensure that all
state matters can be fully considered by the Commonwealth Royal
Commission andto prevent any argument that the Commission lacks power.
 
"We welcome the government's commitment to full cooperation with the
Commonwealth Royal Commission and their openness to consider a joint
state and Commonwealth appointment of Royal Commissioner," Mr Shoebridge
said.
 
Media contact: 9230 3030 | 0433 753 376
 
Full wording of the motion as passed by the NSW Upper House:
 
That this House: 
 
A.      Warmly welcomes the establishment of a Commonwealth Royal
Commission into child sexual abuse in religious, non-religious and state
institutions.
 
B.      Acknowledges the courage and commitment of those victims,
survivors and family members together with their advocacy groups, who
have spoken up and demanded action from their elected representatives.
 
C.      Notes that it is the States, and not the Commonwealth, who have
the primary responsibility for child protection, child welfare and the
criminal law and for this reason it is essential that there be a
co-operative relationship between the NSW government and any
Commonwealth Royal Commission.
 
D.     Notes that this co-operative relationship must extend to working
with the Commonwealth Government to provide all possible assistance
including:
 
(i)                 An open commitment from the NSW Government to
co-operate fully with the Commonwealth Royal Commission in accordance
with the law;
(ii)               A guarantee of full co-operation by all state
authorities, including the police and child welfare and protection
authorities, with the Commonwealth Royal Commission in accordance with
the law;
(iii)             An ongoing commitment to consult with, and work with,
victims, survivors, family members and their support groups to ensure
that they have the necessary support to fully engage with any Royal
Commission.
 
E.      Calls on the Premier to work with the Commonwealth Government,
victims, survivors, family members and their support groups to ensure
that the commencement and operation of the Federal Royal Commission is
co-operative, comprehensive and timely. 

Mark Riboldi
Communications & Policy 
Office of Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge
P: (02) 9230 3030|M: 0433 753 376|T: @thebigriboldi (
http://twitter.com/#!/thebigriboldi )
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