Tasmania drags heels in backing national reforms to abuse redress scheme

Tasmania inexplicably missed a federal government deadline to agree to back changes to the national redress scheme for victim-survivors of child sex abuse. Here’s how it unfolded.

Minister Guy Barnett. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Tasmanian government has agreed to back legislation to improve the national redress scheme for the victim-survivors of child sexual abuse despite being the last holdout and missing a critical deadline.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett’s belated phone call with federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth on Wednesday ended an impasse which threatened to hold up the reforms.

It came after the state inexplicably missed Tuesday’s deadline to join every other state in support.

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse was established in 2019 and reviewed in 2021.

Legislation to improve its operation has been drafted, and won the support of all other states.

The Mercury understands that the federal government first wrote to state attorneys-general including Tasmania’s then-first law officer Elise Archer in mid-September.

Ms Archer quit later that month and was replaced by Guy Barnett.

The federal government needed a reply by this Tuesday so it could introduce the legislation into parliament this week – but again none was received from the Tasmanian government.

Ms Rishworth and Mr Barnett spoke on Wednesday and Tasmania’s support was secured.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos 29th September, 2023: Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“The Attorney-General has been in contact with Minister Rishworth and had productive discussions in relation to the amendments to the national redress scheme,” a spokesman said,

“Following that discussion, it is anticipated that the national redress scheme legislation can progress as scheduled.”

Ms Rishworth welcomed agreement from all state’s to the reforms.

“The independent second year review of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse was an important review to ensure survivors could access redress.

“The final government response to the review was released in May with scheme improvements subject to legislative change, to be agreed with state and territory governments.

“We welcome this agreement.

“Listening to the voices of people with lived experience is at the heart of our shared commitment to delivering an improved and accessible National Redress Scheme.

“We will continue to engage with survivors, advocates, and service providers to ensure they can get the information and support they need as we work toward implementing the scheme improvements.”