AUSTRALIA
Coastal Times
JOSEPHINE TOVEY
09 Nov, 2012
The senior police officer alleging widespread cover-ups by the Catholic church over child sexual abuse has labelled the response by the state government as a “slap in the face” for victims.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell on Friday announced a special commission of inquiry into police investigations of alleged paedophile priests in the Hunter region.
The inquiry will be into allegations of cover-ups and church interference in police investigations, which were raised in a letter to the Premier by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox.
Mr Fox had called for a state-wide royal commission into sex abuse and the church, and on Friday afternoon said Mr O’Farrell’s plan for a limited special commission focusing on one region was an “insult”.
“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly. These kids and these families deserve much more than that… don’t slap them in the face and walk away with a half answer,” he said.
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