The Leader of the Opposition, Simon Crean, has reiterated his call for the Governor-General, Dr. Peter Hollingworth, to resign.
Crean’s call came after the Governor-General denied an allegation of rape, following the lifting of a suppression order by the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Text of media statement from the Leader of the Opposition, Simon Crean.
Regardless of the outcome of the case revealed today by the lifting of a suppression order by the Supreme Court of Victoria, it is clear that a profound human tragedy has occurred.
As difficult as the circumstances of this case may be, the decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria to lift the suppression order is appropriate.
As this case is still before the courts it would be totally inappropriate for me or any other person to draw any conclusions in relation to these matters.
The Governor-General, like all Australians, is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
My decision of February last year, and my reiteration of it following Archbishop’s Aspinall’s report, to call for the Governor General to resign and, failing that, for the Prime Minister to terminate Dr Hollingworth’s appointment, was not based on any knowledge of these allegations.
Dr Hollingworth must resign because of his proven failure to appropriately deal with child sexual abuse, and for his protection of an admitted paedophile.
