Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison Offers ‘National Apology’

Sydney: Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten made a “national apology” in the parliament to thousands of victims affected by acts of paedophilia and other abuse when they were under care of national institutions. Later, the prime minister also apologised to the hundreds of child sex abuse victims that had gathered in Parliament House for the occasion.

It is the first time an Australian Government acknowledged the failures of the government’s faith-based institutions and other organisations to keep children and young people safe. Morrison told the victims: “We believe you, your country believes you.” The Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told the gathering “our nation let you down. Today we offer our nation’s apology with humility, with honesty, with hope of healing now and with a fire in our belly to ensure that our children will grow up safe in future.” (IANS)