Qld: Call for royal commission into child abuse accelerate

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Qld: Call for royal commission into child abuse accelerate

Calls for a royal commission into child abuse have accelerated, with childcare campaignersjoining political and Aboriginal leaders in a bid to force the matter.

The call follows the latest controversy in Queensland, where the state's Families Departmentis at the centre of allegations it ignored cases of abuse within a foster care family.

Speaking ahead of a public meeting on the issue tonight, Australian Democrats leaderANDREW BARTLETT said nothing short of a royal commission into child abuse will suffice.

Aboriginal leaders and child campaigners, also due to address the meeting, have alreadymade repeated calls for a royal commission.

Senator BARTLETT says if the federal government can find $60 million to fund a royalcommission into the building industry, it can find funds to help the nation's children.

But both Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD and Premier PETER BEATTIE have consistently arguedagainst a royal commission.

AAP RTV nt/sc/jas

KEYWORD: ABUSE (BRISBANE)