The leader of the Christian Democratic Party in NSW, the Reverend Fred Nile, has accused the major parties of being "nervous" about pursuing a wide-ranging inquiry into child sexual abuse because it might uncover abuse by one of their own.

Reverend Nile said he was puzzled by the announcement by the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, of a special commission of inquiry into allegations of interference in police investigations of alleged paedophile priests in the Hunter region.

Christian Democrats leader Fred Nile says major parties are afraid of finding abusers within their own ranks. Credit:Jon Reid

"I find it puzzling why it was so restricted to the Hunter when there's reports outside of that area," he said.

"I think [Mr O'Farrell] should be looking further than that. I don't know why you would restrict it to one area because priests and brothers get moved around."