Fed: Primate wants background checks on clergy working with kids

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Fed: Primate wants background checks on clergy working with kids

CANBERRA, Aug 27 AAP - The head of the Anglican church in Australia wants all clergywho have contact with children to undergo background checks in an effort to stamp outsex abuse within the church.

Anglican Primate Peter Carnley today said child sexual abuse was an ongoing problemfor the church, as well as society, and it was a matter that needed addressing.

He said unlike other groups such as a golf or bridge club, the nature of the churchmeant children were involved and that brought risks with it.

Dr Carnley said it was important to introduce preventative measures and he had writtento all state premiers asking for the extension of a child card across the country.

He said anyone working with children in NSW and Queensland was required to have a backgroundcheck and obtain a child card.

"Where anybody who deals with children, whether it's in the church or in a scouts groupor a school ... they must have a child card which means they have been checked out," DrCarnley said.

"I think that should happen right across the country.

"I've written to all state premiers to try and get legislation put in place for thatto be a national program."

AAP sm/daw/ph/de e

KEYWORD: CARNLEY