Episcopal Standards Board
The Episcopal Standards Board determines questions relating to the conduct of a bishop referred to it by the Episcopal Standards Commission. The Board may direct outcomes ranging from an order that the bishop be counselled to the bishop being deposed from holy orders.
The Board is convened as required from a panel of members elected by the General Synod.
The Episcopal Standards Board is governed by a number of Canons of the General Synod:
Episcopal Standards Canon 2007
Episcopal Standards (Child Protection) Canon 2017
Special Tribunal Canon 2007
Offences Canon 1962
Episcopal Standards Commission Report on Keith Slater
The Episcopal Standards Commission provided a report to the Board in August 2024, referring questions relating to the conduct of Keith Slater while serving as Bishop of Grafton. The questions relate to his response to allegations of historical child abuse of which he was aware while he was Bishop of Grafton.
The Episcopal Standards Board convened to consider the report is:
The Hon Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC – President
The Right Reverend Dr Matthew Brain – Member
Ms Seak-King Huang – Member
A hearing into the matter was conducted on Tuesday 11 February 2025.
The Episcopal Standards Board’s Determination dated 17 March 2025 in relation to the Episcopal Standards Commission’s referral concerning Bishop Keith Slater is available here.
The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia provided this statement on 18 March 2025 in response to the Episcopal Standards Board determination of 17 March 2025.
Appeal of the Episcopal Standards Board Determination
Bishop Keith Slater has lodged an appeal of the determination of the Episcopal Standards Board in response to the Episcopal Standards Commission’s (ESC) referral.
The letter of appeal was received by the General Secretary within the prescribed time period for notice in accordance with s61 of the Episcopal Standards (Child Protection) Canon 2017 (the Canon). Part 8 of the Canon provides for the appeal process which requires the convening of a Review Board.
Section 57 of the Canon provides that “The making of an appeal acts as a stay of the reviewable decision pending determination by the Review Board”. On this basis, the relevant Metropolitan is not able to take any action until after the Review Board has made a determination on the appeal.
The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia provided this statement regarding the appeal on 8 April 2025.
This website will be updated once the Review Board has been convened and made its Determination on the appeal.
Further enquiries
Any enquiries can be directed to the Secretary of the Episcopal Standards Board.
Email: gsoffice@anglican.org.au
Media enquiries can be referred to the Primate’s Media Officer.
Mr Bill Condie
Mobile: 0405 862 785
Email: media@adelaideanglicans.com
Episcopal Standards Commission report on Roger Herft
The Episcopal Standards Commission provided a report to the Board in 2020, referring questions relating to the conduct of Roger Herft while serving as Bishop of Newcastle. The questions relate to his response to allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy while he was Bishop of Newcastle.
The Episcopal Standards Board convened to consider this report is:
Mr Peter Dunning QC – Deputy President
The Right Reverend Dr Ian Coutts
The Right Reverend William Ray
Mrs Vivien Bleby
Ms Michelle England SC
A hearing into the matter was conducted on Tuesday 21 September 2021.
Publication of the Episcopal Standards Board’s Determination in relation to the Episcopal Standards Commission referral concerning Roger Herft – 8 December 2021
The Episcopal Standards Board determination is available here.
The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia provided this statement in response to the Episcopal Standards Board determination on 13 December 2021.
Further enquiries
Any enquiries can be directed to the Secretary to the Episcopal Standards Board.
Email: gsoffice@anglican.org.au
Media enquiries can be referred to the Primate’s Media Officer.
Mr Bill Condie
Mobile: 0405 862 785
Email: media@adelaideanglicans.com