3 years ago
SURVIVORS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT
LINDA BURNEY MP
The Government has narrowly voted down Labor’s amendments to improve the National Redress Scheme in the Senate last night.
Earlier this month, Labor moved the amendments in the House of Representatives, but the Government used its numbers to vote them down.
Labor’s amendments received almost full support from the crossbench in the House.
This week Labor moved the same amendments in the Senate.
However, the Government narrowly voted down the amendments, with two votes separating Labor’s amendment to increase the cap.
Labor’s amendments followed years of structural shortcomings which have left survivors waiting or missing out on redress altogether, especially the elderly and unwell.
These amendments sought to address the following issues:
Earlier this month, Labor moved the amendments in the House of Representatives, but the Government used its numbers to vote them down.
Labor’s amendments received almost full support from the crossbench in the House.
This week Labor moved the same amendments in the Senate.
However, the Government narrowly voted down the amendments, with two votes separating Labor’s amendment to increase the cap.
Labor’s amendments followed years of structural shortcomings which have left survivors waiting or missing out on redress altogether, especially the elderly and unwell.
These amendments sought to address the following issues:
- Survivors waiting too long for redress or missing out altogether, including through the introduction of an early payments scheme;
- Reduced payments;
- The highly criticised and arbitrary assessment matrix; and
- Limits on psychological support for survivors.
The amendments, as moved in the Senate by Labor Senator Louise Pratt, can be found here.
You can see how each Senator voted on the amendments here.
“Survivors are waiting too long for redress and too many are missing out,” Senator Louise Pratt said.
“This was an important opportunity to address serious shortcomings of the scheme and to get it delivering for survivors, the way it was intended.”
“These amendments were reasonable and provided the Government with the flexibility to realise these improvements”, Linda Burney said.
“The amendments also enabled the Government to consider the legislated two-year review of the scheme.
“But, by the same token, survivors should not have to wait and see when or if the Government acts on the two-year review.”
You can see how each Senator voted on the amendments here.
“Survivors are waiting too long for redress and too many are missing out,” Senator Louise Pratt said.
“This was an important opportunity to address serious shortcomings of the scheme and to get it delivering for survivors, the way it was intended.”
“These amendments were reasonable and provided the Government with the flexibility to realise these improvements”, Linda Burney said.
“The amendments also enabled the Government to consider the legislated two-year review of the scheme.
“But, by the same token, survivors should not have to wait and see when or if the Government acts on the two-year review.”