Child sex abuse victims to access up to $150k under Federal Government scheme

CHILD sex abuse victims will be able to access up to $150,000 in compensation under a multi-million-dollar national redress scheme announced by the Federal Government.

Sex abuse victims will be able to access up to $150,000 in compensation under a multi-million-dollar national redress scheme announced by the Federal Government. Generic picture: Getty

CHILD sex abuse victims will be able to access up to $150,000 in compensation under a multi-million-dollar national redress scheme announced by the Federal Government.

From early 2018, up to 65,000 survivors of institutional child abuse could be eligible for payments and counselling as part of the national scheme which will run for the next 10 years.

The opt-in program will be managed by the Commonwealth but funded by churches, charities and state governments which voluntarily join the scheme.

The Federal Government will not be able to force organisations and states to sign up to the redress scheme but Social Services Minister Christian Porter said initial negotiations had been met with “very favourable responses”.

He also flagged using legislation to force the Northern Territory and Australia Capital Territory to join the program, even if it was met with “controversy in some quarters”.

He said it was evidence of how serious the Commonwealth was about ensuring the scheme would work.

“We will do everything in our power from this point to encourage on a voluntary basis co-operation on an opt-in basis,” Mr Porter said.

The Catholic Church, which is expected to be one of the largest contributors to the scheme, is understood to have shown “enthusiasm” for the design.

But South Australia has indicated it will not sign up and Western Australia’s position remains “unclear”.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Social Services Minister Christian Porter. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Porter said Victoria and New South Wales — the two largest jurisdictions — were yet to announce their positions and consultations would be “intense”.

The Federal Government will also establish an independent advisory council bringing together specialists, including survivor groups and legal and psychological experts, to provide advice on how to set up the scheme.

Mr Porter said the “fair, simple and generous” program would not just offer financial compensation but would also provide “emotional, mental and other support” to people who had been survivors of institutional abuse.

He said the scheme would be flexible and informal and the application process would be “supportive” to avoid causing further trauma to victims.

The Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council welcomed the move and said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should be “applauded for taking a principled decision”.

Survivors also welcomed the announcement but said the scheme failed to meet expectations.

“We seem to have been screwed over by the government,” Ballarat abuse survivor Andrew Collins said.

“The royal commission recommended a scheme of up to $200,000 yet it has now been cut to a maximum of $150,000 with no explanation.”

Mr Collins said the scheme fell short when compared to others run by TAC or WorkCover and was not a deterrent to the organisations involved.

“The scheme should be funded entirely by those at fault,” he said.

Blue Knot Foundation president Dr Cathy Kezelman said it was critical all states and territories signed up to the scheme.

— with Shannon Deery