The refusal of several Gutwein government Ministers to out themselves and apologise for last week’s shameful behaviour in Parliament is a slap in the face to victim-survivors.
These unnamed Ministers were heard audibly groaning to questions from the Leader of the Opposition, who was directly quoting a victim-survivor, but have arrogantly and stubbornly refused to own up and publicly apologise for their behaviour.
For the government to claim that the Premier’s apology is enough and that it is time to move forward is extraordinary, particularly in light of the harrowing accounts of abuse detailed yesterday by victim-survivor Tiffany Skeggs.
It is up to victim-survivors to decide when it is time to move forward, not members of the government who have caused so much hurt and distress.
If victim-survivors are to have any confidence in the government’s commitment to child safety, these Ministers should be encouraged to own up and publicly apologise, instead of continuing to dismiss and deflect.
They know who they are, as do their colleagues who share the benches with them – and they include Ministers with portfolio responsibilities central to victim-survivors’ pursuit of justice.
This is no time to be covering up behaviour that is unacceptable and hurtful.
These Ministers need to accept that their behaviour was wrong and apologise immediately to restore the faith of victim-survivors and the general public in the Commission of Inquiry process and the government’s commitment to child safety.
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Child Safety
