Andrew Bartlett (Queensland, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I ask a supplementary question, Mr President. I would remind the minister and the Senate that the coalition members—and I will read the actual part of the resolution—expressed:

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

Whilst I note that this is a mark of good faith, it suggests it might be problematic if the extent of any action consists of expressing support for resolutions and not actually acting on them. Could the minister indicate whether there will be an indication from the government at least before the election date about how this support for the longstanding call for a royal commission may be translated into action—even if that action does not specifically match that called for in the resolution but is some other form of action which does actually deal with child sexual abuse and assault in a more comprehensive, nationwide way rather than on an ad hoc, case by case basis?