Take action on asylum-seeker children

Martin McKenzie-Murray’s front-page story about the national apology to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse was masterful – complex, compassionate, critical where necessary, and very moving (“Julia

Gillard was our hero”, October 27–November 2). Well done to Julia Gillard for having had the guts to call the royal commission against a great deal of pressure from those either with a lot to hide, or those with little understanding of the damage done to innocent children. As Chrissie Foster ( bless her!) says, this is far from finished business. What is especially poignant and infuriating at this time is that the two leaders’ speeches, appreciated as they rightly were, mask the reality of what successive governments have allowed to happen to another swath of innocent children whose families have sought refuge from terror, only to be terrorised offshore. It’s shameful, just as the abuse of children entrusted to church and community groups in this country has been a shocking betrayal. That’s unfinished business, too, and its effects will be felt for a long time, wherever these damaged asylum seekers land. In both instances of abuse, an apology is insufficient. Action is required. I hope that the royal commission’s recommendations will be speedily implemented, and that all asylum seekers will be relieved from their hellholes of Manus and Nauru without further political pointscoring delays.

– Jo Vallentine, Maylands, WA