20feb02

OPPOSITION Leader Simon Crean said he could not put his support behind Governor-General Peter Hollingworth until he made a full explanation of a claimed cover-up of child sexual abuse.

Dr Hollingworth has come under fire over his knowledge of abuse cases while he was Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, and is expected to release a detailed statement today.

Mr Crean said he would wait for the explanation before making a judgment about whether he should stay or go. "I can't express support for the governor-general at this point," he told reporters.

"There are new allegations emerging today, it's essential that the governor-general answer all of them, and let's hope that this can be cleared up quickly."