giving evidence in court.

The Royal Gazette understands the issue was a key factor in the Nambour Nursery investigation.

Yesterday Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness vowed it would now be addressed.

Putting children as young as three or five on the witness stand posed difficulties, he said.

"It has to be a consideration with the task force we are setting up,'' he added. "We have to look at how the judicial system treats child abuse, and how it treats the evidential aspect of child witnesses.'' Mr. Edness said plans for the task force were moving ahead quickly.

And he would be making an announcement on it within two weeks.

"We have finalised the terms of reference, and are looking at other details which have to be looked at before making an announcement.'' Mr. Edness said the task force would tackle: Why child abuse is happening; How to stop or reduce abuse through, among other things, education; Ensuring effective detection of abuse; Treating the victim and families, such as through counselling; and Task force to examine breaking cycle of abuse Dealing with the abuser through treatment, not just imprisonment.

Mr. Edness stressed it was essential to break the cycle of abuse.

"Abuse to children takes many forms -- it is not just physical and sexual. It also takes the form of neglect. And there is verbal abuse.

"It is a very complex subject and Government feels the need to investigate it thoroughly and get a thorough understanding of it.'' Mr. Edness said the inquiry would be wide-ranging and would not reinvestigate allegations of abuse at Paget's Nambour Nursery.

"We are not going after any particular institution or person.'' Earlier this month Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett (Lennie) Edwards revealed there would be no charges following the Nambour investigation.

On Friday, Mr. Edwards and Director of Social Services Luelle Todd have strongly defended their Nambour investigations.

They hit back at comments by Ms Sheelagh Cooper, from the Coalition for the Protection of Children.

"We wish to correct the impression given that the staff of both Social Services and the Police failed to operate in a professional manner in conducting an investigation into this matter,'' they said in a letter to The Royal Gazette .

"From February, 1993, when the matter came to our attention, our two organisations initiated a full investigation, which followed the same lines and general protocols used in many North American jurisdictions.

"Police, social workers and other helping professions worked together in the investigation of the allegations.

"A full and lengthy investigation was carried out, and the findings sent to the Attorney General's Chambers. It has now been determined that at this time, there is not sufficient evidence to support criminal charges.'' The pair stressed abuse allegations were treated very seriously.

But no one should be charged unless there was evidence of guilt.

"We will continue to work to educate our staff and the general public on issues relating to the safety of women and children in the community, and to work towards preventive measures.'' Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks said the Nambour file had not been closed.

He explained: "But at the moment on the evidence in the Police file we decided it wouldn't be appropriate to institute any charges.''