FRANKSTON (AUSTRALIA)
Bayside News

September 2, 2019

FRANKSTON MP Paul Edbrooke revealed his father’s story of survival in an emotional defence of mandatory reporting legislation which would force priests to report confessions of sexual abuse.

Mr Edbrooke took to the floor of parliament on 28 August to share the story of his father, Nick, who was sexually abused by a clergyman as a child.

“It’s the late 1960s, you’ve just arrived here in Melbourne for a fresh start, and at 15 you’ve already had your innocence torn away,” Mr Edbrooke said.

“My dad is a survivor and he said I could share this letter if it assists parliament to realise apologies are worth nothing unless we follow them up with action.”