Beyond Abuse spokesperson Steve Fisher said Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s words failed to move those present while Bill Shorten’s speech earned a standing ovation.

“Scott Morrison was very light on what he said, it didn’t have a lot of substance. When Bill Shorten got up to speak, everything he said… was so totally relevant.

“It seemed like he had a complete understanding and what he said was an educational tool for anyone listening.”

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Mr Fisher was abused in North-West Tasmania by Anglican priest Garth Hawkins, who was sentence to seven and a half years’ prison for offences against eight boys in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Mr Fisher formed Beyond Abuse in 2003 as an advocacy and lobby group and gave evidence to the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse.

He said emotions were running high at the Great Hall at Parliament House on Monday.

“There was a lot of emotion, a lot of people had to leave because they were really upset.”

An individual was also escorted out of the hall after unfurling a banner about refugees on Nauru. 

Mr Fisher said there was confusion leading up to the event because of miscommunication over accommodation and difficulty in getting financial assistance to get to the event.

However, the mood was light as attendees had lunch at Federation Mall after the ceremony.

“There’s been a lot of mistakes made but it’s turning into a really good day and everyone’s sort of trying to take it all in and trying to process it because it’s been a very long day.”

Survivors were given a bag with a copy of the apology, a key ring, a drink bottle and a ribbon to hang on a symbolic tree.

The national apology was developed in consultation with survivors, their families and support people.