Puffing Billy ApologyMinister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events
1 would also like to welcome the people who have experienced abuse and their
families who are here today and acknowledge those who could not be with us
here today.
Having read the Victorian Ombudsman's report, Investigations into child sex
offender Robert Whitehead's involvement with Puffing Billy and other railway
bodies, and reading some of your stories, 1 am deeply moved by your courage in
comingforward.
Nothing 1 say can take away the pain and the suffering you experienced, the
shame and the anguish which you did not deserve.
But we can stop the silence, we can be as brave as you have for all these years
and do everything possible to ensure that this doesn't happen again.
Today, with the members ofthe Parliament ofVictoria gathered here in this
House, we acknowledge the devastating and ongoing impact of Robert
Whitehead's criminal acts and the cries for help that were ignored.
The Victorian Government sincerely apologises to victims, including Wayne
Clarke, theirfamilies, theirfriends, communities and anyone else who has been
impacted by the abuse perpetrated at Puffing Billy.
We apologise for the inaction of those who, in the past, failed to support those
who spoke out.
1 would especially like to recognise Wayne Clarke's persistence in bringing the
matter to the attention of the Government which led to the Ombudsman's
investigation.
1 would also like to recognise the work ofVictoria Police, especially Leading
Senior Constables Nova Graham and Meta Vincent, and the Office of Public
Prosecutions in relation to prosecuting Whitehead, the Victorian Ombudsman,
whose is in attendance here today, in publicly documenting what happened and
the former Minister, John Eren, in leading the Government's effori;s to address
the issues raised by the Ombudsman and working with the impacted individuals.
1 am deeply affected by the Ombudsman's report. The findings show that not
enough was done to protect children from child sexual abuse at Puffing Billy
during the 1960s to 1980s.
All recommendations made by the Ombudsman have been accepted in full. The
Victorian Government is now working to implement measures that deliver on
those recommendations.
As part ofthis, Working with Children Checks and Police Checks are mandatory
for all Puffing Billy volunteers, and have been since 2014.
Victoria's Child Safe Standards are also being implemented at Puffing Billy. The
Government encourages the implementation of and compliance with these
standards.
While the Government has worked to provide respect and suppori; to victims in
recent times, their long-term pain and suffering cannot be underestimated.
By sharing your stories, you have paved the way for new policies and
procedures to protect the safety of children in Victoria - this is an enormous
contribution to our community and no amount of thanks can ever truly convey
how important your involvement has been.
But 1 will say it anyway - thank you.
This Government will continue to do all we can to ensure people affected by
abuse receive the respect and support they deserve.
Again, on behalfofthe Parliament, the Govemment and the people ofVictoria.
I join with the Premier and atl honourable members in saying - we are sorry.