Sunday, March 31, 2013

Royal commission to begin five months of secret sessions

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_hAFIU2xp-A3cq1SBKdsWj_UZG8hUkmM_ThXmr_zi2DOaV8QH
The royal commission into child sex abuse will soon begin five months of secret sessions, but as yet it has not spoken to any victims, reports news.com.au.

The commission will reveal how it plans to structure its investigations at its first public hearing on April 3 in Melbourne when counsel assisting the commission, Gail Furness SC, will deliver an opening statement but no evidence will be taken.

The sitting at the County Court of Victoria will be streamed live via webcast on the commission's website.

Its website shows that it has yet to announce the process for submissions to be received. 

However, the commission has already held consultations with the peak bodies representing survivors.

Earlier this month the commission met the country's police commissioners as its terms of reference will cross state and federal jurisdictions.

The first public hearings to take evidence are expected in September after five months of secret sessions when the commission, chaired by NSW Supreme Court judge Justice Peter McClellan, will decide how to split up its immense workload.

It is expected to break the hearings into sections for different institutions and conduct hearings around the country.