A state care abuse survivor and researcher has called the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the findings in the Royal Commission Report “really big” as politicians said they want to take a bipartisan approach to their response.
Yesterday was an emotional day for survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care.
The Royal Commission tabled its final report, labelling the treatment of more than 200,000 people a “stain” on the national character.
It made 138 recommendations on its findings – among them a formal government apology, which is expected in November.
National MP Chris Bishop and Labour MP Kieran McAnulty shared a moment of unity on Breakfast this morning, agreeing a bipartisan response to the report was needed.
‘Huge’ for victims – survivor
Speaking to Breakfast on the findings and recommendations, abuse survivor and researcher Paora Moyle said the day was “huge” as victims “were never believed” in the past.
Moyle said she could see that the report was important for her fellow survivors, who are getting “older and frailer”.
However, on the recommendations, Moyle said she would like to see the state “take some responsibility” for those who were “directly involved”, and name those who allowed the abuse to take place.
“[Naming people] has to be part of any apology.”
Moyle said it is “not OK” for the responsibility to be “passed” to the “next head of department or CEO”.
On the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday, Moyle said Christopher Luxon did “really well”, but the significance of the report will be set in stone when the recommendations are put in place.
“It doesn’t get put right until it is put right,” she said.
“The biggest reason we come forward is we want to stop it happening to other babies.
“We want our mokopuna in the future to be safe, to be well cared for.
“The majority of them were taken without the need for them to be taken.
“Mostly around poverty, around racism, around sexism, all the intersectionality.
“This report really spells all of those things out and it educates the wider public, and they need to take note of this – as to why it happened, how it happened and what we need to do about it. We’re all responsible.”
Labour and National want ‘bipartisan’ effort
On what comes next after the report, National MP Bishop said the Government is going to “take some time” to work through the report and its recommendations.
He said there has been a denial of the abuse, and Bishop credited former Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for setting up the inquiry.
Bishop said the formal apology will be a “really important day”, and highlighted the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the “torture” which occurred at Lake Alice.
He insisted it is important for the Government to take time to properly digest the report, as in the past the Crown has “not done it right”.
McAnulty acknowledged the bravery it has taken for victims to come forward and make the report possible.
“This must have been incredibly painful for everybody having to relive that, but in doing that they’ve enabled this report to be completed, and these recommendations to be given, and now it’s now on all of Parliament to get this done.”
The pair agreed they want a bipartisan effort on implementing a change which will last the test of time.
Other recommendations
The report also called for an apology from religious leaders, including the Pope.
It also recommended police investigate and prosecute for instances of torture and inhuman treatment.
The report also called for laws to be changed, including round Oranga Tamariki and crime legislation.
But its focus was for survivors to be compensated as a matter of priority.