Christian Brothers accused of hiding from public scrutiny in child sex abuse government inquiry
The Christian Brothers have been accused of hiding from public scrutiny and giving "bogus" reasons for a last-minute decision to not appear before a parliamentary committee inquiry into child sex abuse. The religious order claims some proposed questions could have compromised current civil proceedings.
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00:00Disappointed, but not surprised.
00:04Clearly they're not prepared to be open and transparent with the West Australian community,
00:08and particularly survivors.
00:10Ray Lane was abused by Brother McMahon when he was 11 years old,
00:14and says he's disgusted the Christian Brothers won't give evidence.
00:17I think it's a further example of the Christian Brothers using delaying tactics.
00:25The Order's provincial leader, Brother Gerard Brady,
00:28had been due to appear before the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee's inquiry.
00:33But, late on the eve of the hearing, he wrote to the committee,
00:36saying it clearly planned to ask him questions relating to ongoing legal proceedings,
00:41including concerning Brother McMahon.
00:44He said the Christian Brothers were not comfortable proceeding with the public hearing,
00:48given the obvious and serious risk of sub judice contempt of court.
00:52Not only has the decision by the Christian Brothers not to appear before the committee
00:56left survivors of child sexual abuse feeling angry,
00:59but members of the committee say that their reasons for not coming don't hold water.
01:03Sub judice relates to matters before the courts now,
01:06and very clearly we wouldn't ask questions related to that,
01:10so I think that is a bogus excuse.
01:12It gives the impression that the Christian Brothers have something to hide.
01:16If that wasn't the case, they'd be here willing to be accountable for their conduct.
01:24The committee says the Christian Brothers are disproportionately represented in claims of child sexual abuse.
01:29They should be there voluntarily.
01:31They should be there to own up and to be held accountable for whatever has taken place.
01:36Advocates and the committee want Catholic Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costello,
01:41to insist the Christian Brothers appear before the inquiry and show respect to survivors.
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