The fallout from the decision to move the next set of Ballarat hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to Melbourne has continued with the Victorian premier weighing in.
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Daniel Andrews joined the long list of people advocating for the commission to reconsider its decision.
“I would expect that the Royal Commission do the right thing and hold hearings again in Ballarat,” he said.
“Given the ongoing pain and trauma suffered by survivors and their families across Western Victoria, it is only right that they are heard in Ballarat.”
Every local MP including federal MP Catherine King have backed the push for the commission to reconsider its decision.
However, when The Courier contacted the commission on Wednesday for further clarification on why the move had taken place no response was given.
The commission have only listed the “significant anticipated level of interest” as reason for the move.
Despite this, the large ceremonial court in the County Court in Melbourne only has 150 seats. It does, however, have a number of overflow court rooms.
Many in the community have said they believe similar solutions and venues could be provided in Ballarat with live broadcasts to Melbourne.
Both Cardinal George Pell and former Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns are expected to appear at the commission hearings in November adding further controversy to the decision.
Plans are in place for the hearings to be broadcast in Ballarat in the Trench Room at the city’s town hall, but this had done little placate the sex abuse survivors who are disappointed in the commission.
A number have spoken to The Courier about their concerns on the move and the impact it will have on survivors.
Discussions are also ongoing as to whether or not the commission will provide transport for survivors and their families.
The May hearings in Ballarat saw a number of survivors front the commission as well as Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird, disgraced priest Gerald Ridsdale and many others.
Until the commission released a statement last week it was always expected it would return to Ballarat in November. The community rallied around survivors during the May hearings with many believing the process helped the city to face up to its dark past.
