Coalition rejects all Laffoy criticisms

THE Government bluntly told Ms Justice Mary Laffoy last night that it did not agree with her view that the Child Abuse Commission had been rendered powerless.

Rejecting Ms Justice Laffoy’s allegations in her letter of resignation, the Government said there was concern at the length and cost of the inquiry.

Going through each of Ms Justice Laffoy’s criticisms, the Government insisted in a 13-page document that its changes would not reduce the power of the commission or negate any of its work. The Government also said the commission had no legal basis to suspend its work pending any changes by the Government to its remit.