In his farewell address to Parliament, retiring Labor MP Stephen Jones disclosed that he is a survivor of child sexual abuse. He highlighted the significant achievements of the governments he has been part of, particularly referencing the establishment of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2012 by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The commission, which spanned four years, garnered over 1,000 personal accounts and issued numerous referrals to law enforcement, allowing many victims to share their stories after years of denial and disbelief.
Jones emphasised the importance of this process for survivors, noting that it was both a painful yet necessary journey toward truth and reconciliation. He remarked on the concept of strength, distinguishing between traditional notions of power and the resilience gained from overcoming adversity. He has chosen not to publicly outline his retirement plans but expressed pride in his contributions to various initiatives over 15 years, such as the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), and reforms to gambling advertising.
Jones passionately stated that “there is power in being seen, being heard and being believed,” underscoring the importance of acknowledging survivors’ experiences, including his own.