Optimising the inquiry into child sex abuse

In France, the trial judge hears enough evidence to manifest the truth, and no more. Hearings are quite brief, perhaps a day or so; the Commissioners should do the same.

Cost

The Fitzgerald inquiry ran from 1987 to 1989. Mick Ahern, who succeeded Bjelke-Petersen as Premier, told me last year: "I have heard that the round up cost of all of it was $20 million. Includes paid barristers, staffers, rents, revolvers, snoop devices, hankies etc." The cost at today's rates would be at least twice that.

If the child sex crimes inquiry is run on strict inquisitorial lines, it should cost taxpayers no more than $50 million.

Reports

Inquiry reports tend to be wishy-washy because common lawyers' brains are addled by the adversary systems truth-defeating devices. Non-lawyer Commissioners should have a heavy input into reports.

Taxpayers who fund the inquiry are entitled to know what the Commissioners thought about the guilt of individuals. The Commissioners should write their conclusions in a secret report, embargoed until all trials are concluded.