Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

I recall that we had a debate on the issue on Second Stage so I will not repeat what I said then. I agree with Senator Bradford that the caveat could mean the public would not be fully informed of the intentions of the Bill. That reinforces the need for a clear information campaign. When the Bill passes through the Houses we must clearly inform the public so that there is no ambiguity on questions such as that raised by Senator Cullinane previously. The reports that have been published, including the Amnesty International report, In Plain Sight, referred to societal responses and the number of people in general who were aware of abuse but did not report it. I wish to ensure that the legislation we are discussing shines a light onto every shadow so there is no child who is at risk, that anyone who has any doubt would report it, and that we will not have situations such as that described by counsellors known as the "resurrected father syndrome" where one goes into counselling and claims the abuser has died. As the trust is built up during the counselling sessions they are resurrected as such because it later transpires that they are alive. There is a sensitivity around such counselling. The Bill has clearly dealt with that. We must ensure that we do not just talk about the confessional. The Bill is about any citizen in this country withholding information which puts a child or vulnerable person at risk. It is as simple as that. We must ensure that is the message that goes out and not the caveats. That is when we get into the detail but for me it sends a clear message which I welcome.