AUSTRALIA
ABC News

The Federal Government says it will not finalise the terms of reference for the royal commission into child abuse until early next year.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has previously said the Government would release the terms of reference and announce the commissioners by the end of this year.

Ms Roxon now says the terms of reference will be settled in January.

She says the Government has decided there will be between three and five commissioners and a short list of candidates has been compiled.