Improving the National Redress Scheme

The Morrison Government has released its response to the report, Getting the National Redress Scheme right: An overdue step towards justice, of the Joint Select Committee on oversight of the implementation of redress related recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said evidence to the Inquiry shows that there was a clear need to improve the service delivery of the Scheme, particularly its interaction with survivors.

“We would like to thank all those who participated in this Inquiry – particularly the survivors who provided evidence – which has provided the Government with important insights into the delivery of the Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse,” Minister Ruston said.

“There are learnings from the way the Royal Commission interacted with survivors that can and should be applied to the ongoing operation of the Scheme.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that the Scheme and any amendments are survivor-focused and trauma-informed.”

The report made 29 recommendations – the Government agreed to 11 recommendations, supported three in principle and noted a further 15. No recommendations were rejected.

The Commonwealth was not in a position to agree to some of the recommendations as they require unanimous agreement of the Ministers’ Redress Scheme Governance Board to implement.

“The Morrison Government has, however, made a commitment to consult with jurisdictions and will further consider these recommendations through the legislated second anniversary review of the Scheme,” Minister Ruston said.

The Government response is available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Royal_Commission_into_Institutional_Responses_to_Child_Sexual_Abuse