AUSTRALIA: Australia's governor-general Dr Peter Hollingworth resigned last night over the controversy surrounding his handling of child sexual abuse cases in the Anglican Church when he was the archbishop of Brisbane.
In a written statement, Dr Hollingworth, the British queen's representative in Australia, said that it was "with deep regret and after much thought" that he had advised the prime minister he wished to resign.
Dr Hollingworth had stepped aside from his position earlier this month when allegations that he had raped a woman 40 years ago became public. Victoria's Supreme Court dismissed those charges on Friday following the death last month of the woman making the accusation.
However, the governor- general had already been under pressure to resign after an Anglican Church report criticised his decision not to dismiss a paedophile priest.
Despite having previously acknowledged that this was a serious error of judgment, Dr Hollingworth's statement last night described the allegations against him as "unwarranted and misplaced".
He said that the continuing public controversy "has the potential to undermine and diminish my capacity to uphold the importance, dignity and integrity of this high office".
It is understood that Dr Hollingworth spoke to Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard several times over the weekend, but a spokesman for Mr Howard stressed that the decision to resign was the governor- general's.
Mr Wayne Swan of the opposition Labor Party said Dr Hollingworth should have resigned long ago. "The governor-general has had to be dragged kicking and screaming from office," he said.
Ms Hetty Johnston, a prominent child protection campaigner, said she was surprised by the announcement, as she did not think he would ever resign.
"We are just happy that finally the issue of child protection gets the attention that is so rightly deserves," she said.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has said it is not seeking to take advantage of the resignation.
ARM's national director Mr Jim Terrie said the resignation of Dr Hollingworth as governor- general had little effect on their position on Australia's constitutional future.
He said the movement disagrees with the system rather than the governor-general himself.
"The ARM has never been after the scalp of the governor-general himself," Mr Terrie said.
"What it does is show the system is broken that allows one person to choose whoever he wants. I mean, it's probably the only decision (the prime minister) can make without consulting his cabinet colleagues.
"There's no accountability, which is inappropriate for a modern, democratic nation," Mr Terrie said.
Mr Howard is expected to meet the governor-general today to discuss transitional arrangements. Tasmanian governor Sir Guy Green will continue as acting governor-general in the interim.
