(a)   notes the damaging long-term effects to Australian society caused by the sexual assault and abuse of children and young people;

(b)   recognises the importance of following up expressions of concern with genuine action to assist survivors of sexual assault and to bring perpetrators to justice;

(c)   notes:

(i)   recent concerns expressed about an alleged pack rape of a 14-year old girl in the John Oxley Youth Detention Centre in Queensland in 1988, and urges any person with information about this alleged crime to immediately furnish that information to police for full and proper investigation to ensure the alleged victim receives justice, and

(ii)   the many petitions tabled in the Senate, expressing the support of many Australians for a royal commission into the sexual assault and abuse of children in Australia and the ongoing cover-ups of many of these matters; and

(d)   expresses support for the longstanding call for a comprehensive royal commission into the sexual assault and abuse of children throughout Australia, especially in institutions.