This is a disgraceful attempt by the Government to prevent an experienced journalist, Aaron Smale, who has led much of the reporting on the Abuse in State Care scandal, from attending a press conference on Tuesday when the Government will issue a formal apology in Parliament to the survivors. The excuse given was that his questioning of the Prime Minister at a previous press conference about this was too “persistent and forceful…with suggestions it was rude and police at the event had been watching the reporter.”

The Government needs to answer firm questioning on this. If the PM feels uncomfortable, and I acknowledge this all happened years before he came on the political scene and it will be uncomfortable for him, that’s too bad. He represents the state and needs to account for its actions.

Government bars journalist from abuse apology at Parliament