Historic vote in NSW Parliament supports Federal Royal Commission into Abuse
On 14 August 2012 I placed the following notice of motion on the Parliamentary record, after discussion with victims and survivors of abuse and their organisations: Mr Shoebridge to move— 1. That this...
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Appealing to conscience to overturn the Ellis Defence
David’s opinion piece in the Newcastle Herald today identifies the continuing unfairness to victims of abuse in the Catholic Church of the ‘Ellis Defence’. The full text of the piece is below, or can...
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OPINION: Hiding behind cloaks
As printed in the Newcastle Herald, 7 December 2012. Hiding behind cloaks The shield that protects the Catholic Church and denies justice to victims of abuse must be demolished, writes David...
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BOOK LAUNCH – Holy Hell by Patricia Feenan
David will host Pat Feenan’s book launch of her book Holy Hell on Friday 14 December at NSW Parliament House. More information about Pat and the book available on her website here:...
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Churches protected by trust laws
The Victorian inquiry into sexual abuse in religious organisations is likely to recommend a reform of property trust laws which allow churches to avoid being sued. ABC Lateline – 25/02/2013 – Hamish...
View ArticleCatholic Church and Child Sexual Abuse [Question Time]
This speech was delivered on 28 February 2013 in the NSW Upper House. You can read the full debate online here. CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Mr DAVID SHOEBRIDGE: My question is directed to...
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Catholic Priest not charged for failure to report child sex allegations
The Greens have criticised the decision by the office of the DPP to not charge a Catholic brother who allegedly failed to report child sex allegations to police in the 1970s because it was ‘‘not in the...
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Hunter Church Sexual Abuse Inquiry Begins
Special Commission of Inquiry into matters relating to the Police investigation of certain child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle My office continues to work with...
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EVENT: CUTS TO VICTIMS COMPENSATION victims of crime and their advocates respond
The NSW Government has announced its bill to completely overhaul the NSW Victims Compensation Scheme. Their bill is called the victims rights and support bill – it is available here. My office has been...
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EVENT: Cuts to Victims Compensation NEWCASTLE EMERGENCY FORUM
Victims of crime and their advocates respond. The NSW Government has announced its bill to completely overhaul the NSW Victims Compensation Scheme. Their bill is called the victims rights and support...
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Planned Victims Compensation Cuts – TAKE ACTION
Following on from today’s forum with survivors of abuse, their supporters and advocates, there was a strong sense of community concern about the proposed changes to victims compensation that are...
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Child sexual abuse victims hit doubly hard by legal aid cuts
Victims of child sexual abuse are being hit doubly hard by the O’Farrell government with proposed cuts to victims compensation being followed by the complete removal of all legal aid entitlements for...
View ArticleO’Farrell and Nile betray victims of crime
As you may be aware, in the early hours of this morning the NSW Parliament passed the perversely named Victims Rights and Support Bill 2013. This bill represents an unprecedented attack on the rights...
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OPINION: Support bill an attack on sexual abuse victims
This is a reprint of an opinion piece initially published in the Newcastle Herald. MANY victims and survivors of abuse began this year with a sense of hope. Finally there was a comprehensive Royal...
View ArticleVictims Rights and Support Bill 2013 [Legislation Debate]
This speech was delivered on 29 May 2013 in the NSW Upper House. You can read the full debate online here. VICTIMS RIGHTS AND SUPPORT BILL 2013 Second Reading Mr David Shoebridge: A disgrace. Mr David...
View ArticleCatholic Church and Child Sexual Abuse [Speech]
This speech was delivered on 29 May 2013 in the NSW Upper House. You can read the original speech online here. CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Mr DAVID SHOEBRIDGE [4.37 a.m.]: Anthony and...
View ArticleNSW Ombudsman contradicts Police Minister on Catholic Church body participation
As reported on Lateline. On 28 February 2013 David asked the Minister for Police the following question in the house: CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Mr DAVID SHOEBRIDGE: My question is directed...
View ArticleCatholic Church and Child Sexual Abuse [Question Time]
This speech was delivered on 20 August 2013 in the NSW Upper House. You can read the full debate online here. CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Mr DAVID SHOEBRIDGE: My question without notice is...
View ArticleSPEECH – Hunters Hill Congregational Church Property Trust Bill 2013
The video above is David’s speech to the NSW Legislative Council on the Hunters Hill Congregational Church Property trust Bill 2013, where he details the problems with the proposed approach to lifting...
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Opinion: Royal commission is a lasting legacy
In a year of so much ugly politics, it is time to remember some of the good . . . and to embrace the challenges ahead. As published in the Newcastle Herald. What a difference a year makes. On 16...
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