5 years ago
SURVIVORS WAITING TOO LONG FOR REDRESS
LINDA BURNEY MP
Today marks one year since the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
The National Apology and the National Redress Scheme were the result of a four year long royal commission, established by the Gillard Government, in which survivors bravely shared their experiences. We owe it to them to get Redress right, and in a timely manner.
The scheme is projected to provide redress to an estimated 60,000 survivors. Yet, over a year since the scheme commenced, only one per cent of this figure has received redress, survivors are still waiting too long and some institutions have still not signed up.
The scheme has received over 5,040 applications for redress. 618 applications have been placed on hold because the relevant institution has not yet joined the scheme.
This means that over 3,600 applications – or three quarters – are waiting as a result of administrative delay.
Applicants are waiting an average of eight months for their applications to be processed.
In August, Labor successfully re-established a parliamentary inquiry to oversee the administration of the National Redress Scheme. The Government cynically used its numbers to take control of the committee. Two months later, and survivors are waiting and wondering what is happening with the Inquiry.
Institutions that have not joined the scheme must do so immediately – the time for excuses has come to an end.
While additional investment is a step in the right direction, survivors are still waiting too long. Some are elderly. Some are unwell. Some are passing away before seeing justice.
The Government needs to get Redress right.
The National Apology and the National Redress Scheme were the result of a four year long royal commission, established by the Gillard Government, in which survivors bravely shared their experiences. We owe it to them to get Redress right, and in a timely manner.
The scheme is projected to provide redress to an estimated 60,000 survivors. Yet, over a year since the scheme commenced, only one per cent of this figure has received redress, survivors are still waiting too long and some institutions have still not signed up.
The scheme has received over 5,040 applications for redress. 618 applications have been placed on hold because the relevant institution has not yet joined the scheme.
This means that over 3,600 applications – or three quarters – are waiting as a result of administrative delay.
Applicants are waiting an average of eight months for their applications to be processed.
In August, Labor successfully re-established a parliamentary inquiry to oversee the administration of the National Redress Scheme. The Government cynically used its numbers to take control of the committee. Two months later, and survivors are waiting and wondering what is happening with the Inquiry.
Institutions that have not joined the scheme must do so immediately – the time for excuses has come to an end.
While additional investment is a step in the right direction, survivors are still waiting too long. Some are elderly. Some are unwell. Some are passing away before seeing justice.
The Government needs to get Redress right.