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And look who is also backing a royal commission.
So what is Gillards problem?
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has declared his support for a "wide-ranging" royal commission into allegations of child sex abuse, but says it should not just focus on claims involving the Catholic Church.
His move adds significant pressure on the Prime Minister to establish a national inquiry into explosive allegations by a senior New South Wales police investigator that the church covered up evidence involving paedophile priests.
Julia Gillard has not yet said whether she thinks a royal commission is needed, but Mr Abbott has pledged his support if the Government decides to establish such an inquiry.
"Wherever abuse has occurred it must be tackled and it must be tackled vigorously, openly and transparently," Mr Abbott said in a statement.
"It's clear that for a long period there was insufficient awareness and insufficient vigilance when it came to predatory behaviour by people in positions of authority over children.
"Any investigation must be wide-ranging, must consider any evidence of the abuse of children in Australia, and should not be limited to the examination of any one institution.
"It must include all organisations, government and non-government, where there is evidence of sexual abuse."
Several Labor MPs have publicly declared their support for a nationally constituted royal commission, saying it is the only way to deal with allegations that cross state borders.
The New South Wales Government has set up an inquiry in response to the allegations. A separate parliamentary inquiry into church sex abuse is already underway in Victoria.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd says he is "deeply disturbed" by the issue of child abuse, and has indicated his willingness to support a broader inquiry if needed.
"If either of these independent inquiries conclude that there is evidence of institutional resistance on the part of the Catholic Church, or that more resources are needed to deal with these matters, then I believe this would constitute a clear case for a national royal commission," he said.
"Under any such royal commission, there should be an open examination of what has occurred in the past; what further reforms are necessary for the future as well as addressing the key question of appropriate compensation for victims," he said.
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