Tasmanian Anglican Church agrees to rise in amount paid to abuse victims

THE Anglican Church in Tasmania has agreed in principal to increase the cap on compensation payments to victims of abuse.

Anglican Bishop of Tasmania Dr Richard Condie. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE Anglican Church in Tasmania has agreed in principle to increase the cap on compensation payments to victims of abuse and will consider selling assets to fund the scheme.

The increase would bring the redress scheme in line with the church in Victoria and with the cap on payments under the independent national scheme.

The church has confirmed it would continue to operate its state scheme so those unable to join the national scheme — non-Australians, convicted criminals, or people who were abused as adults — could seek redress locally.

“We acknowledge there are survivors of sexual abuse who do have criminal convictions, often related to the harm they have experienced,” Anglican Bishop of Tasmania Richard Condie said.

“People will be encouraged to apply to the national redress scheme if they are able.

“Our diocesan council has agreed in principle to increase the cap of our Pastoral Support and Assistance Scheme to $150,000 per claim and to adopt the national redress scheme matrix and assessment guidelines for claims.”

A church spokeswoman said those who received payments under the previous payment cap of $75,000 could be entitled to top-up payments.

She said depending on the magnitude of redress payments under its scheme, the church would look at selling assets. She said this was how redress had been funded in the past and would be done again if necessary.

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.

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

Tasmanian victims are also waiting for changes that would allow them to make civil claims against abusers, Melbourne lawyer Sebastian Buscemi said.

Mr Buscemi said more than 150 Tasmanians had contacted his firm — Angela Sdrinis Legal — with claims they had suffered institutional abuse.

But Mr Buscemi said there were no legal avenues for those people until time limitations to civil claims for survivors of child sexual and physical abuse were abolished.

“That [the limitation period] is getting in the way of people suing perpetrators who were responsible,” he said.

“I think there will be a lot who will come forward and take action.”

The legislation to remove the limitation period has passed the State Parliament but has yet to come into effect.