3 years ago
LABOR’S REDRESS AMENDMENTS
LINDA BURNEY MP
Labor has introduced amendments in the parliament in an effort to improve the National Redress Scheme to more effectively deliver for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
It follows years of structural shortcomings which have left survivors waiting or missing out on redress altogether, especially the elderly and unwell.
The original Royal Commission estimated some 60,000 survivors would be eligible for Redress.
Yet, as of 15 January 2021, the Scheme had only finalised 4,660 applications.
Labor’s amendments come as the parliament debates the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Technical Amendments) Bill 2020.
The bill makes a number of minor technical adjustments, but Labor believes this is a missed opportunity to address major structural issues.
Ensuring survivors don’t miss out
Labor’s amendments will aim to address the issue of survivors waiting too long for redress or missing out altogether – a result of institutions not joining, shielding their assets, or institutions becoming defunct.
Labor’s amendments propose the Government to seek financial contributions from institutions refusing to join the scheme, or shield their assets, through a levy or the tax system, so that redress can be paid to survivors.
And where institutions are genuinely unable to pay or are defunct, that governments act as funders of last resort.
Early payments scheme
And to ensure the elderly or unwell do not miss out on redress, Labor’s amendments have proposed the introduction of an early payments scheme, similar to an existing scheme in Scotland.
Lifting the cap and ending deductions
Survivors have also criticised the scheme for caps on payments; indexation of prior payments; and the deduction of unrelated prior payments, including Stolen Generations payments.
There are concerns that these factors are pushing survivors giving up or seeking justice outside the scheme, through more difficult, costly and lengthy civil claims.
Labor’s amendments seek to lift the cap on Redress payments from $150,000 to $200,000 as recommended by the Royal Commission; end indexing of relevant prior payments; and ensure unrelated payments are not deducted.
Re-shaping the assessment framework
The Government’s assessment matrix, used to decide the rate of payments, sets low and arbitrary payments for the impact of abuse based on the kind of abuse, not the scale of its impact on a survivor’s life.
Labor’s amendments will require the Minister to re-make the Redress Assessment Framework to properly recognise the impact of abuse when calculating redress payments, as recommended by the Royal Commission.
Ongoing psychological support
Labor’s amendments will also end the limit on psychological support for survivors, many of whom only receive $1,250 for life time psychological care.
Vote expected today
The amendments have been structured to provide the Government with the flexibility to negotiate with the states and territories.
Labor has reiterated that it is willing to work constructively with the Government to realise these improvements.
The parliament is expected to vote on the bill and amendments later today.
It follows years of structural shortcomings which have left survivors waiting or missing out on redress altogether, especially the elderly and unwell.
The original Royal Commission estimated some 60,000 survivors would be eligible for Redress.
Yet, as of 15 January 2021, the Scheme had only finalised 4,660 applications.
Labor’s amendments come as the parliament debates the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Technical Amendments) Bill 2020.
The bill makes a number of minor technical adjustments, but Labor believes this is a missed opportunity to address major structural issues.
Ensuring survivors don’t miss out
Labor’s amendments will aim to address the issue of survivors waiting too long for redress or missing out altogether – a result of institutions not joining, shielding their assets, or institutions becoming defunct.
Labor’s amendments propose the Government to seek financial contributions from institutions refusing to join the scheme, or shield their assets, through a levy or the tax system, so that redress can be paid to survivors.
And where institutions are genuinely unable to pay or are defunct, that governments act as funders of last resort.
Early payments scheme
And to ensure the elderly or unwell do not miss out on redress, Labor’s amendments have proposed the introduction of an early payments scheme, similar to an existing scheme in Scotland.
Lifting the cap and ending deductions
Survivors have also criticised the scheme for caps on payments; indexation of prior payments; and the deduction of unrelated prior payments, including Stolen Generations payments.
There are concerns that these factors are pushing survivors giving up or seeking justice outside the scheme, through more difficult, costly and lengthy civil claims.
Labor’s amendments seek to lift the cap on Redress payments from $150,000 to $200,000 as recommended by the Royal Commission; end indexing of relevant prior payments; and ensure unrelated payments are not deducted.
Re-shaping the assessment framework
The Government’s assessment matrix, used to decide the rate of payments, sets low and arbitrary payments for the impact of abuse based on the kind of abuse, not the scale of its impact on a survivor’s life.
Labor’s amendments will require the Minister to re-make the Redress Assessment Framework to properly recognise the impact of abuse when calculating redress payments, as recommended by the Royal Commission.
Ongoing psychological support
Labor’s amendments will also end the limit on psychological support for survivors, many of whom only receive $1,250 for life time psychological care.
Vote expected today
The amendments have been structured to provide the Government with the flexibility to negotiate with the states and territories.
Labor has reiterated that it is willing to work constructively with the Government to realise these improvements.
The parliament is expected to vote on the bill and amendments later today.