Hollingworth still under fire

The governor-general is the Queen's representative in Australia

Australia's Governor-General, Peter Hollingworth, is still facing demands to fully resign, despite having stepped aside temporarily from his post.

On Sunday Mr Hollingworth became the first governor-general in Australian history to suspend himself from his duties, while he fights to clear his name of a rape claim that dates back 40 years, and which he firmly denies.

But the calls for his head continued on Monday, with opposition politicians insisting that his mishandling of sex abuse cases within the Church in the 1990s - when Mr Hollingworth was working as an archbishop - were enough to warrant his permanent resignation.

The controversy is a major embarrassment for Prime Minister John Howard, who picked Mr Hollingworth for the job of governor-general - Queen Elizabeth's representative in Australia - in 2001.

HOLLINGWORTH TIMELINE

1990-2001 - Archbishop of Brisbane

June 2001 - Appointed Governor-General

December 2001 - Allegations he mishandled sex abuse cases in 1990s

1 May 2003 - Report criticises him for conduct as Archbishop

8 May - Rape allegations become public

Profile of Peter Hollingworth

On Monday, the prime minister defended his decision not to ask Mr Hollingworth to stand down when he first heard about the rape allegations against the governor-general in December, saying that at the time the allegation was not official.

"There's a very different set of circumstances (now)," Mr Howard told a local Sydney radio station.

But the prime minister still appears to be standing by Mr Hollingworth.

On Sunday, he told reporters: "It remains my view that there are no grounds for me to recommend to the Queen that [Mr] Hollingworth's appointment be terminated."

Resignation calls

On Monday, opposition Labor leader Simon Crean repeated his insistence that Mr Hollingworth should resign.

He said the former clergyman no longer had the nation's support, after a Church report published earlier this month criticised him for allowing a known paedophile to remain a priest.

"That's what makes his position as governor-general untenable and why he should go. It's got nothing to do with the rape allegations," Mr Crean said.

New South Wales state Premier Bob Carr added that "a clear-cut resignation" was the only way to resolve the row.

For Mr Hollingworth to stand aside temporarily was an "unsatisfactory compromise", he said.

The rape claim against Mr Hollingworth was lodged by Rosemarie Annie Jarmyn, who alleged he raped her at a church camp in the mid-1960s.

The allegation may never even be heard, as the court must first rule if it can deal with a complaint dating back so far.

The case is also complicated by the fact that Jarmyn is now dead, having committed suicide last month.

Mr Hollingworth said on Sunday that he regretted that he was unable to honour his engagements and was looking forward to the resolution of the court case.

"In taking this decision, I have always been mindful of maintaining the integrity and dignity of the office," he said in a statement.

Tasmania governor Guy Green will take over Mr Hollingworth's duties while he is out of office.