National News
Labor seeks briefing on Bali child abuse claims
© ABC 2004
More Photos
Labor seeks briefing on Bali child abuse claims
3:09 PM April 12
The Federal Opposition has asked for an urgent briefing on allegations that two Australian children were sexually abused in resort childcare centres in Bali.
Justice Minister Senator Chris Ellison and the parents of the two alleged victims asked Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer to issue a warning which lists childcare centres which do not comply with Australian standards.
Mr Downer says that would have been impossible because of the number of centres involved and because police investigations were inconclusive.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd says the allegations of abuse are stomach churning and he plans to ask the department why no warning was issued.
"The allegations which are made concerning the travel advice are serious ones," he said.
"I want to give the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister's office the opportunity to respond before I make any further detailed comment on them."
Gonorrhoea contracted
The mother of one of the alleged victim has given an account to ABC TV's Lateline program of finding her daughter in a distressed state when she went to pick her up from a hotel childcare centre.
"My daughter was crying, she was standing there, she was beside herself in tears," she said.
The two-year-old girl was later found to have contracted gonorrhoea.
The alleged incident prompted the Justice Minister Chris Ellison request to list overseas hotel childcare centres not complying with Australian standards.
Mr Downer refused the request.
"It's simply impossible for Australian officials to check out every childcare centre in the world," he said.
Mr Downer says there is a general travel warning for parents that mentions childcare centres.
Meanwhile, a Darwin travel agent says it is unnecessary for the Federal Government to issue a travel warning about childcare centres in Bali.
Fiona Darcy from Frangipani Holidays says concerned parents should judge the safeness of the situation themselves.
"We can't expect the Australian Government to regulate childcare centres or indeed any other facilities all over the world just for the convenience of Australian parents," she said.
"I mean if in doubt look after your children yourself."
Source: ABC