Anglican Church to sell 120 properties to fund sex abuse redress

UPDATED: Church plans to sell a swath of properties to fund redress for survivors of child sexual abuse have been welcomed by advocates.

TASMANIA’S Anglican Church has revealed plans to sell more than 120 properties to fund redress for survivors of child sexual abuse.

The church estimates it will need to raise $8 million to fund new and additional payments to survivors under the national redress scheme.

It plans to raise the funds by using a proportion of parish funds, a proportion of several Diocesan Trusts that fund ministry, and a proportion of the proceeds of the sale of more than 120 properties — almost half of all its properties — including churches, halls, houses and vacant land.

The church will recommend those measures to the June synod.

Beyond Abuse spokesman Steve Fisher said he believed the move was unprecedented and described the plan as “incredible.”

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The Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, Dr Richard Condie, said the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania was committed to redress for survivors of sexual abuse, and hoped to join the National Redress Scheme.

“With an estimated liability of around $8 million in new and additional payments to survivors, it will require decisive action and significant sacrifice for everyone across our Diocese,” he said.

Anglican Bishop of Tasmania Dr Richard Condie says the church in Tasmania faces a liability of about $8 million. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“I understand that the sale of churches causes pain and sadness for church members as well as the wider local community. They have been an important part of our Tasmanian heritage. “However, our commitment to justice, recognition and support of survivors through providing redress underlies the need for this sacrifice.”

Mr Fisher from Beyond Abuse said the decision was remarkable, and he hoped other institutions would follow suit.

“I think the fact the church is willing to sacrifice so much shows people how seriously they’ve taken past abuse, and it finally gives survivors the validation they deserve,” Mr Fisher said.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen an organisation put survivors before anything else.”

Bishop Condie said the church was yet to finalise a list of properties that would be identified for sale, but he expected to have more details in coming weeks.

Previous claimants under the Diocese of Tasmania’s own redress scheme will also be entitled to have their claims reassessed, after an in-principle agreement was reached to increase the cap under the Pastoral Support and Assistance Scheme to $150,000 per claim.

The previous cap was $75,000.

The Anglican Church in Tasmania will sell nearly 120 properties to fund a redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

That scheme will continue to operate after the national redress scheme commences so that people unable to join the national scheme, such as non-Australian citizens, those with a criminal conviction or people who were abused as adults, can still access redress.

Bishop Condie has urged the State Government to be part of the national redress scheme, which will begin on July 1 and run for 10 years.

State Attorney-General Elise Archer said conversations with the Federal Government regarding the scheme were continuing.