THE HON BILL SHORTEN
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG
THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
THE HON JENNY MACKLIN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES & PAYMENTS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DISABILITY REFORM
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR JAGAJAGA
SENATOR CLAIRE MOORE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CARERS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
NATIONAL REDRESS: UNDER LABOR IT WILL HAPPEN
A Shorten Labor Government will establish a National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
The establishment a National Redress Scheme is a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Under Labor, it will happen.
In its final report into redress and civil litigation, the Royal Commission determined that around 60,000 survivors of child sexual abuse should be given access to redress.
These extraordinary men and women have survived horrific abuse at the hands of institutions that should have been responsible for their care. Labor is committed to ensuring they get the redress they deserve.
The Royal Commission has recommended that appropriate redress for survivors include direct personal responses, counselling and psychological care as well as monetary payments.
The Commission recommended the cost of redress be met by the perpetrators of the abuse, with Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments acting as a funder of last resort.
Federal Labor today announced that it will invest $33 million to implement the National Redress Scheme.
This includes an initial $20 million contribution to establish the National Redress Agency, as well as a National Redress Advisory Council to work with all governments and institutions on the development and operation of the scheme.
The National Redress Advisory Council will include representatives of:
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survivor advocacy and support groups;
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non-government institutions, particularly those that are expected to be required to respond to a significant number of claims for redress;
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people with expertise in issues affecting survivors with disabilities;
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people with expertise in issues of particular importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors; and
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people with expertise in psychological and legal issues relevant to survivors.
Labor established the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to give the thousands of people affected by these evil crimes an opportunity to finally be heard.
But we always knew this would only be the start of the process of healing.
The establishment of a National Redress Scheme is the next important step.
Labor will continue to work with survivors, their families and advocates to do what we can to support them on this process of healing.
Labor's proposals have been costed by the independent Parliamentary Budget Office.
Funding for this policy will be offset from existing announcements Labor has made in making sure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax in Australia, reducing superannuation tax concessions and by abolishing the Emissions Reduction Fund.
For more information visit www.alp.org.au/nationalredressscheme
TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2015
