Chris Hayes (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

When I addressed the House in October 2018 I described the emotional day when the parliament came together to deliver the national apology to the victims of institutional child sexual abuse. It was only right that we acknowledged what had occurred and expressed our profound sorrow for what had occurred under our collective watch, and said sorry for our ignorance, sorry for our collective failure to listen to the children—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Proceedings suspended fr om 11 : 46 to 11 : 53

Prior to our little interlude, I was talking about what I spoke about in 2010, about the national apology. It's clear, as a nation, we accord more respect, or we did accord more respect, for those in authority than for the children under their care. I remember I spoke about how I found—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Proceedings suspended from 11:54 to 11:59

When I addressed this House in October 2018, I spoke about the deeply emotional day when parliament came together to deliver the national apology to the victims of institutional child sexual abuse. It's only right that we not only acknowledge what occurred to children, but express our profound sorrow for what occurred under our collective watch.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Proceedings suspended fr om 11 : 59 to 12 : 02

I will try for the third time, Deputy Speaker Freelander. Colleagues, I was talking about when I addressed the House two years ago, and I was talking about how it really was a deeply emotional day to have the parliament come together to deliver that national apology for victims of institutional child sexual abuse. The apology was right. We understood that. Not only was it to express sorrow for what had occurred to children, but, more importantly, that this all occurred under our collective watch. We were sorry for our ignorance and, probably above all, sorry for our collective failure to listen to children. Clearly, as a nation, we, at that stage, accorded more respect, more trust in those in authority than in the children under their care.

I remember I spoke about how I found it utterly incomprehensible that people of faith could perpetrate such evil against innocent children, all the while hiding behind their positions of trust within their communities. I also recall talking about my cousin who, like me, grew up in a deeply religious family. We both attended Catholic schools, but, unlike me, his experience was vastly different. He was a victim of abuse. For his benefit, and moreover, I think, so this place could properly understand what had been undertaken and what he had gone through, I undertook to read his words to the parliament, and I will quote his words: 'My name is Anthony, and I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I'd like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to share some of my story, and to continue with my healing journey. Trust is a major feeling that is lost as a result of sexual abuse. My abuse was at the hands of a Catholic priest, a person I was taught to trust without question. It is, therefore, extremely difficult for me to trust myself, let alone anyone else. I felt like some trust was beginning to grow for me in the process of the royal commission and the apology to survivors and victims of the horrendous crimes that were perpetrated against innocent children like me.

'The process of the royal commission was amazing, an opportunity to be able to speak about the abuse and also to be heard in private session with Commissioner Bob Atkinson. I was working as a principal in Catholic education when I was able to face my abuse. Working hard to become a principal was my attempt to show that I could cope with the abuse, and I was driven to change the system that allowed me to be abused. It became too much for me, because of the ongoing hypocritical nature of the institution regarding children and how they run schools and churches.'

Sitting suspended at 12:06

Federa tion Chamber adjourned at 17:01 upon the adjournment of the House, in accordance with standing order 190(c)

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