Call to ban confessional secrets

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is calling on the State and Federal governments to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse - even if it's revealed to a priest during confession.

Senator Xenophon's renewed push, follows the Irish government's announcement of new laws, that will require priests to report any confessions of child abuse, despite the 'confessional seal', or risk five years' jail.

The Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, said the move came after allegations of child abuse cover ups in the Catholic Church.

Senator Xenophon wants the same to be adopted in Australia, saying there should be no contest between protecting a child and religion.

"The Irish government will legislate to remove the protection of the confessional in cases of child abuse, where there are allegations of child abuse, information relating to child abuse as well," he said.

"In 2003 in the South Australian parliament I pushed for legislative reform, both the major parties opposed that."

"But it now seems that the Irish government is doing the right thing," he said, "Any religious practice should not come first when it comes to issues of child protection."

Senator Xenophon said he wanted to introduce the reform in 2003, when he was approached by Anglican Priest Reverend Don Owers, who was concerned over the way the Anglican Church handled child abuse allegations.

"It is controversial, but it is clear from the reports that have come out of Ireland that there is a real issue there in terms of the confessional being abused and children not being protected by virtue of the confessional," he said.

Senator Xenophon said he had written to the Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, congratulating him on his government's decision.

Senator Xenophon plans to write to the Federal and State Attorneys-General, urging them to adopt similar laws here.