Consultation Paper on Royal Commission Released

The Federal Government has released a consultation paper on the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse, announced last week by the Prime Minister.

The consultation paper asks for stakeholder views on:

• The scope of the Terms of Reference, including the issues the Commission should investigate and make recommendations on;
• The form of the Royal Commission, including how the Commonwealth and states and territories could work together to ensure full access to information;
• The number of Royal Commissioners and appropriate expertise; and
• The timetable and reporting arrangements.

Attorney General Nicola Roxon and Acting Minister for Families Brendan O’Connor said: ”We want all stakeholders, especially survivors of child sexual abuse, their families and their advocates, to help shape the development of the Royal Commission.”

Interested parties can provide written feedback on the consultation paper by November 26.

The Government said the deadline takes into consideration the Prime Minister's desire to have arrangements for the establishment of the Royal Commission in place before the end of 2012, to enable the Commission to commence its public work in early 2013.

However, the Government said it may continue to accept comments after this date, depending on the number of comments received, and the ability of individuals and organisations to meet this deadline.

Over the coming two weeks, the Government will also hold a number of consultation meetings with key stakeholders so that organisations that represent survivors of child abuse, community and legal leaders, State and Territory Governments and religious organisations can have a say.

The Government said it will finalise the Terms of Reference and the appointment of the Commissioner or Commissioners by the end of this year.

The Commission is expected to start work early next year.

In announcing the Royal Commission, the Federal Government said Not for Profits are to be included in the broad scope of the inquiry into child sexual abuse in Australia. 

The consultation paper on the establishment of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has been released this afternoon and will shortly be available.