George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Because, Senator Ruston, the royal commission's work is of the utmost public importance. For decades, the victims of many heinous offences were silenced, their pain was minimised and the harm to them went unacknowledged. We now know much more about child sexual abuse than before the commission started its work. We can more easily identify cultural and systemic norms and practices which enabled the perpetuation of these most vile crimes. We know that victims have been harmed not only by the direct experience of abuse but also by institutional indifference and, too often, rejection of their stories. But there is more to be learned. There is more that needs to be learned, which is why the government has decided to accede to Justice McClellan's request.