Inquiry by MP who opposes an inquiry

CLAN is a support, advocacy, research and training network for people who grew up in the 600+ orphanages, children’s Homes, foster care and other institutions.

CLAN and its members are shocked and appalled that Andrea Coote MLC - Member for Southern Metropolitan is a member of the inquiry committee into Victorian orphanages, children’s Homes, foster care and other institutions run by Churches and Charities.

Ms Coote has shown a bias against Care Leavers and is on the record saying that Care Leavers won’t benefit from such an inquiry. She strongly opposed it just six months ago when she told Parliament on 9^th November 2011;

“I suggest to this chamber that if we were to set up an inquiry and look into each and every one of those points under that section — and I must say that the report contains another four or five points — the Law Reform Committee inquiry could potentially go on for another decade. How are the people now who were affected by the very tortures that I explained and outlined before? Where will they be in another 10 years? Will they be happy with another inquiry? Would it make their lives better now? I do not think so.”

The fact is that a very small number of Victorian Care Leavers shared their stories of abuse suffered as children in the Senate Inquiry into Institutional Care in 2004; and this may have been due to the shame, stigma and lack of communication skills by Care Leavers and minimal advertising of the inquiry. Only 700 Care Leavers across Australia (that equates to 100 Care Leavers per state and territory) shared their story of childhood abuse. Victorian Care Leavers do need a Victorian Inquiry which will hear their stories with respect and open-mindedness. It is improper for Ms Coote to sit on the Committee of this Inquiry when she is so opposed to an inquiry;

“Another Law Reform Committee report is not going to make a difference to these people’s lives. Positive, well-funded and sensitive programs that deal with each individual, their ghosts and their horror stories are the way forward.”

Ms Coote’s lack of understanding limits her empathy for Care Leaver issues and should disqualify her from taking part in such an inquiry. Many Victorian Care Leavers are distressed that Ms Coote is on the committee handling the inquiry and are very unhappy that she will be listening to their stories and making judgements on their childhood abuse. Therefore CLAN members will protest outside Andrea Coote’s office on Monday to demand that she resigns immediately.

Date: Monday 4th June 2012
Time: 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: 306 Bay Street, Port Melbourne

The tram route 109 leaves from Spencer St regularly to Port Melbourne.

Andrea Coote should resign from the inquiry because she doesn't think it will achieve anything. The message is HYPOCRISY.