Peter Hollingworth’s bitter, angry, defiant letter to Queen Elizabeth II resigning as governor-general revealed

Peter Hollingworth wrote a lengthy letter to Queen Elizabeth II detailing his reluctant resignation as governor-general over past handling of child abuse while he was an Anglican archbishop | READ THE LETTER

Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth with the queen in 2002.

An angry, bitter and defiant Peter Hollingworth wrote to the queen following his resignation as governor-general over his handling of child sex abuse while Anglican archbishop, blaming the media, activists and voter “ignorance” about the Constitution for his downfall, The Weekend Australian can reveal.

“I had always hoped to have served my full term of office,” he told Queen Elizabeth II in the June 2003 letter made available after a request to the National Archives of Australia.

“I came to the conclusion that this would be virtually impossible because of the continuing barrage of media attack upon me and upon the office itself.

“Initially these concerns were generated by the media, reflecting the views of those who believed the appointment of a former archbishop was inappropriate because it blurred imagined lines between church and state. Others were disappointed republicans and some were politicians in opposition or in minority parties who saw this as a way of attacking the prime minister.”

These attacks, he argued, were entirely “politically motivated”. He claimed “the office of governor-general has now been politicised, thereby defeating its essential purpose of being above politics”. He said there were “ramifications” for future appointments. Indeed, no religious leader has since been appointed to the vice-regal role.

Dr Hollingworth told the queen criticism directed towards him revealed “an ignorance of the Constitution and the role of the governor-general within it”. He also bristled at “unfavourable” comparisons made with his respected predecessor, Sir William Deane, and argued he should have had freedom to “interpret and shape the role”.

Dr Hollingworth accepted no responsibility for his handling of child sex abuse in the Brisbane diocese in his three-page letter. However, the Queensland Supreme Court heard evidence he had been informed of abuse perpetrated by teacher Kevin Guy at Toowoomba Preparatory School. The court ruled his diocese had failed its duty of care and was ordered to pay compensation to a victim.

Read Dr Hollingworth’s letter to the queen

The then governor-general’s resignation less than two years into his role was prompted by an Anglican Church inquiry that found he had allowed a known pedophile to remain a priest.

However, he told the queen he had been denied “procedural fairness” and “the methodology left much to be desired”. The report was later tabled in the Queensland parliament.

In April last year, an Anglican Church tribunal found Dr Hollingworth guilty of serious misconduct, prompting Archbishop Geoffrey Smith, head of the church in Australia, to encourage Dr Hollingworth to “resign his orders”.

Yet he insisted to the queen that he was forced from office by “a well-orchestrated media campaign, fed by a small group of activists” designed to “undermine me as the incumbent governor-general”. He added that his “pastoral background” had “provided an additional set of problems”.

The Weekend Australian previously revealed his letters to the queen during 2002 and his claim to be the victim of a “tall poppy” campaign, as well as her reply from her private secretary offering “much sympathy” for him. Dr Hollingworth said he would ultimately be “vindicated”.

It was also previously reported that Dr Hollingworth’s correspondence with the queen had disappeared and neither Government House nor the National Archives knew where they were. It was eventually discovered that Dr Hollingworth had kept the letters and they were later transferred into official custody.

Other vice-regal letters released included updates on the Canberra bushfires, the departure of troops for the Iraq War, condolences for the death of the Queen Mother and his recommendation that Martin Bonsey, his official secretary, be made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Dr Hollingworth also corresponded with then Prince Charles about the bushfires.

In the newly released letter, Dr Hollingworth explained to the queen that his wife’s health was also a concern and she needed “to recuperate in a stress-free environment”. It was this “private” matter and the “public” campaign against him that led him to resign “with the greatest regret” and “great sadness”.

All of his letters to the queen were concluded with: “I have the honour to remain, Madam, Your Majesty’s dutiful servant”.