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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-09-14 Daily Xml
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SEX OFFENDER ALLEGATIONS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (15:25): Today the Premier outlined his government's—what I think he would describe—glorious record on the prosecution of child sex abusers and the importance of protecting child sex abuse victims, and he outlined the effectiveness of this and what has been achieved under his regime. He also outlined that it was important that when people become aware of allegations of child abuse they should be reported to the police and the appropriate authorities.

Whilst I do not agree with his claims of his own record, I do agree with him about the importance of reporting these matters. Last night in the Senate, Senator Nick Xenophon repeated from an earlier contribution the allegation of the alleged repeated rape of Archbishop John Hepworth who has claimed that he had been repeatedly raped over a 12-year period from the age of 15 years. Two of the priests who had been named were now dead and a third priest he named last night (whom he claimed had raped John Hepworth from on or around the time he turned 18 years of age) was still alive.

The allegation itself is an important one to be followed up. The statement of the priest's name in my personal view was neither necessary nor appropriate. What was necessary, though, and I think very appropriate, was the senator's disclosure of what happened after the detailing of these allegations by Mr Hepworth to Monsignor David Cappo from the Catholic Church here in South Australia, and in particular that, after an original expression of concern in 2007, he conveyed a detailed statement in March 2008 to Monsignor Cappo.

Of course, we now know that there has been a period, apparently, of four years where there has been either inaction or inadequate action in response to the complaints. It seems from the information published so far that Archbishop John Hepworth did not wish to have any prosecution or criminal offences brought against the alleged offender, and that I think is always to be respected in victims of alleged crimes and that they are taken into account.

But what is puzzling to me and of great concern I think to people in South Australia is why today, after these allegations have been made, has the Premier not come in today to explain to South Australia what action he has taken as a result of this startling allegation, namely, that a senior member of the church who received an allegation of alleged sexual abuse against a minor and who was legally required under section 11 of the Child Protection Act of 1993 to have reported those matters to the authorities—which he has told us again today is important to be done and to be followed up—and why that was not done?

Furthermore, what investigation has been undertaken by his government to ascertain whether in fact Monsignor Cappo has actually broken the criminal law. Assuming these allegations are correct, namely, that there was an allegation conveyed to him of child sexual abuse in 2007, then why in the last four years—or indeed in the time required under the act—had Monsignor Cappo not reported that to the authorities?

It is no defence under the act for him to allege that the alleged victim in this allegation is now over the age of 18 years. His obligation is very clear. Why have we not heard today from the Premier as to whether he would conduct such an investigation? Has he asked Monsignor Cappo to stand down from his position on the Social Inclusion Board? Has he suspended him from his ex-officio role as a member of cabinet? Has he suspended him as a member of the Economic Development Board?

These are all key roles which he currently undertakes on behalf of the South Australian government. Why has he not explained to us whether in fact this issue has been referred to the Attorney-General for investigation and, if not, why it has not? Whether, in fact, the Minister for Families and Communities has actually made any request at all for this to happen? These are all unanswered questions and the people of South Australia are entitled to have answers.

Time expired.

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