Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull must immediately launch an investigation into elite pedophile rings in Australia, says a survivors' network for people abused by priests.
The call follows a claim by Liberal senator Bill Heffernan that he has a police list which names 28 prominent people, including a former prime minister, as suspected pedophiles.
The senator didn't name names but on Tuesday called on Attorney-General George Brandis to expand the child abuse royal commission to include the legal fraternity.
Nicky Davis, the leader of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) said the government should immediately announce a thorough investigation of elite pedophile rings in Australia, similar to one already underway in the UK.
Senator Heffernan's revelations came as no surprise to many survivors of child sexual abuse, Ms Davis said in a statement early on Wednesday.
"The rape, torture, and murder of Australian kids by those who believe themselves above the law is the real terror threat which demands prompt and effective action above all other issues," she said.
"Those on the list feel entitled to commit these and other atrocities, secure in the knowledge that damaged victims would never be believed, and their crimes would never be investigated."
Ms Davis said many survivors of child sexual abuse had approached the royal commission but felt they were not being heard.
