PM correctly divines mood of the public

JULIA Gillard has taken the right decision, at the right time and with the right tone in announcing "a royal commission into institutional responses to instances and allegations of child sexual abuse in Australia".

It is a vast task, still to be defined and likely to run for years and years. On the face of it, the territory to be covered is immense and what is to be pursued and investigated appears limitless - state schools, Scouts, the Catholic Church, child welfare agencies, charities and even sporting groups all fall within the realm of investigation.

The Prime Minister has correctly divined the public mood for something to be done against the evil of child abuse and its perpetrators.

It is clear there was growing political pressure for a national inquiry or commission into the ongoing revelations of child sexual abuse and instances of others turning a blind eye.

It was also clear that such an inquiry - given there are two state inquiries under way - had to be broader than into allegations against any one institution, namely the Catholic Church.

To avoid simply providing an understandable and justifiable pursuit of revenge and justice, Gillard has ensured "institution" will be as broad as possible with an aim of trying to limit institutional protection, active or passive, of child abusers in future.

Tony Abbott had already signalled support for a national royal commission and Gillard described Cardinal George Pell's attitude as co-operative - as she described the responses of the Liberal premiers of Victoria and NSW.

Gillard has done well and must continue to do whatever she can to keep this inquiry focused on preventing child sexual abuse and away from the divisive and destructive shadows that have engulfed so much else in the political discourse of late.