AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Jacob Kagi
Time restrictions on when victims of child sexual abuse in Western Australia can sue for damages appear certain to remain in place until next year, despite four Government MPs crossing the floor to vote with Labor on an attempt to bring the issue to a parliamentary vote.
The vote, which followed a fiery debate, means the scrapping of the six-year statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil cases will not happen until after the state election even though both major parties have now declared support for the policy.
Labor sought to bring the private member’s bill introduced by Liberal backbencher Graham Jacobs to a vote this morning, following Premier Colin Barnett’s comments that the legislation would not proceed until after the election.
Dr Jacobs and fellow Liberal MPs Ian Britza and Peter Abetz, as well as National Wendy Duncan and Independent Rob Johnson, all voted with Labor but the motion was still defeated 23-29.
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