Victorian Premier Ben Carroll apologises for historic school sexual abuse

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, also serving as education minister, delivered a formal parliamentary apology on behalf of the state government for decades of sexual abuse in government schools. He acknowledged that the government "failed to protect" students, listen to disclosures, and act with urgency and care.

The apology follows a board of inquiry into historical abuse, chaired by Kathleen Foley SC, which heard testimony from about 120 victims and community members. The inquiry’s 2024 final report identified weak regulations and a cover‑up culture, recommending nine actions that the government has accepted, including the apology and a truth‑telling process.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and education spokesperson Brad Rowswell condemned past failures and urged continued accountability. Law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker announced it is investigating abuse allegations on behalf of more than 600 former students from 350 Victorian schools, indicating hundreds of additional survivors have come forward since the firm published a list of schools linked to the investigations in September.