This speech was delivered on 25 June 2013 in the NSW Upper House. You can read the full contribution online here.
HUNTER CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SPECIAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
Mr DAVID SHOEBRIDGE: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Given that the Special Commission of Inquiry into Sexual Abuse in the Hunter has determined that it will not investigate the circumstances in which police shredded documents about sexual abuse that they received from the Catholic Church’s professional standards group, and noting that police destruction of evidence of sexual abuse is very serious, what action is the Minister taking to ensure that this matter will be investigated independently?
Mr DAVID SHOEBRIDGE: I ask a supplementary question: Will the Minister advise the House who within the NSW Police Force will investigate the actions of other police and what assurances can we have that the investigation will be independent?
Mr David Shoebridge: To the point of order: The Minister clearly indicated he had tasked someone or some persons within the Police Force to conduct this investigation or he had asked police to undertake the investigation. I am seeking some elucidation from the Minister about who within the Police Force will be undertaking that investigation.