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Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Page: 9392

Senator XENOPHON (South Australia) (15:50): Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.

Senator XENOPHON: The previous inquiries related to horrendous events that occurred at the John Oxley Youth Detention Centre back in 1988 when a 14-year-old girl was gang raped. There was a cover-up of what occurred and a shredding of documents. There have been previous inquiries but at none of those inquiries was the victim at the centre of these allegations ever given an opportunity to appear. This woman has approached my office and she is desperate to give evidence to set the record straight so that there can be some finality to what occurred.

There are fundamental issues of law reform here. Senator Ludwig is wrong in relation to this. There are issues in terms of the destruction of documents, in terms of legal proceedings and in terms of federal law reform in dealing with documents in relation to child sexual abuse so that there can be a national uniform approach. There are a number of fundamental aspects of law reform that need to be dealt with, and the victim wants to come forward so that the record can be set straight once and for all.

Senator Joyce: Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Is leave granted? Leave is not granted. The question is that the motion moved by Senator Xenophon be agreed to.

The Senate divided. [15:56]

(The President—Senator Hogg)

Question negatived.