20feb02

GOVERNOR-General Peter Hollingworth must offer an unconditional apology to the victims of sexual abuse during his time as Archbishop of Brisbane, the Australian Democrats has said.

Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett said Dr Hollingworth's perceived failure to take sexual abuse allegations seriously was adding to the suffering of victims.

"The signals he's sent out are adding to the hurt not just in terms of the victims and the archdiocese of Brisbane but abuse victims and their families around the country, that continual message of not really taking their experiences seriously," Senator Bartlett said.

"I think he just needs to offer an unconditional apology to the sexual abuse victims.

"Apologising doesn't mean admitting guilt, it just means acknowledging people have suffered enormously."

Asked if the Democrats believed Dr Hollingworth should resign from his vice regal position, Senator Bartlett replied: "That's a decision for him and the Prime Minister and possibly the Queen.

"From the Democrats point of view what we'd rather see is an acknowledgement about the real pain and suffering that sexual abuse victims endure."

Dr Hollingworth is expected to issue a detailed statement today responding to allegations he covered up sex abuse cases while he was Archbishop of Brisbane.

Queensland Labor Senator Brenda Gibbs said Dr Hollingworth should resign or be sacked if the cover-up allegations were proved.

"I personally think so, yes," Senator Gibbs said.

"I don't think anybody in that sort of position should have such a bad mark against his character."

She labelled any a cover-up of abuse as disgraceful.

"There's more and more coming out all the time, I think it's absolutely disgraceful," Senator Gibbs said.

"There is no excuse for child abuse and the cover up of it is appalling, particularly from, at the time, the Archbishop."