No Hiding behind Payouts for Abuse: Inquiry Chief

By Milanda Rout and Rick Morton
The Australian
January 17, 2013

www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/no-hiding-behind-payouts-for-abuse-inquiry-chief/story-fngburq5-1226555441833

THE head of Julia Gillard's royal commission into child sex abuse has issued a fiery opening warning to churches, state governments and other institutions that he will not let them hide behind confidentiality agreements with their victims.

In his first public statement as chair of the commission, judge Peter McClellan said the inquiry expected full co-operation and it would "not hesitate" to use its powers to force reluctant organisations to provide evidence or hand over documents.