A former social worker says the Government's refusal to hold an inquiry into historical abuse in state care makes it complicit in a cover-up.
An investigation by Three's The Nation reveals complaints about abusers from several former social workers were ignored, or the offender moved to a different facility.
One social worker who came forward, Ken Cutforth, wrote a letter to his bosses with concerns about five people he suspected of being abusers in 1982 - and is still waiting for an answer.
"It's almost like, at the moment the Government is part of a cover-up as well by not allowing this commission of inquiry to happen."
Mr Cutforth warns some of those who committed offences against children in state care were never convicted.
"Staff who had major misdemeanours were transferred to another institution and it was covered up."
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has consistently denied the need for an inquiry.
She says overseas investigations, such as that in Australia, were established following revelations of child abusers being moved between institutions rather than being reported.
The Nation / Newshub.
