Paedophile Suspected Anglican Church Friend "in Cahoots" with Other Offenders
By Emilie Gramenz
RELATED STORY: Boys' club a 'sitting duck' for paedophiles: ex-priestRELATED STORY: Clergy member cultivated 'father-figure relationship' before abuseRELATED STORY: Sexual abuse inquiry to focus on Hobart's Church of England Boys' Society MAP: TAS A former Anglican rector and convicted paedophile has said he suspected a church friend was "in cahoots" with other offenders sexually abusing boys around Australia. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has been examining the Anglican Church and its youth group, the Church of England Boys Society (CEBS), at a public hearing in Hobart. Former rector Garth Hawkins, who changed his name to Robin Goodfellow, was convicted in 2003 for sexually abusing seven boys as he moved between Tasmanian parishes in the 1970s and '80s. The commission is investigating the possibility of a multi-state paedophile ring operating in CEBS over about 40 years. In his evidence, Hawkins was asked if he believed his friend and fellow offender Louis Daniels, the former Archdeacon of Burnie, could have been involved in a paedophile ring. Hawkins responded: "No." Counsel assisting Naomi Sharp then asked: "Did you ever suspect that Mr Daniels was in cahoots with anyone in relation to his sexual abuse of boys around Australia?" Hawkins paused before answering: "I think he probably was, yes." He said he had heard things "on the grapevine". "The clergy was a pretty close-knit mob in Tasmania, being a small Diocese. You just hear things," Hawkins said. Asked if he had heard that Daniels had sexually interfered with boys while in Adelaide or Brisbane, he responded: "No." The commission is also investigating notorious Adelaide paedophile Robert Brandenburg, and former Queensland priest John Elliot. Former CEBS leader raised concerns with top clergy Sue Clayton, a former leader of the Church of England Boys Society, also gave evidence to the hearing. Ms Clayton said she became aware of complaints from two boys that Daniels had touched them inappropriately at a meeting in June 1987. She said she told the meeting she felt Daniels needed to step down from his role in CEBS immediately and cease any contact with young people. Ms Clayton said she attended another meeting with then-Bishop of Tasmania, Phillip Newell, later that month. "What did Bishop Newell say to you about his characterisation of the conduct that had occurred?" Ms Sharp asked. "He said it was of a serious nature and that it would need to be investigated further," Ms Clayton replied. She said she brought up contacting the police and Bishop Newell said: "As it had not progressed beyond fondling, there would be no need to bring the police into it at this point."
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