Tasmania joins the National Redress Scheme

The Tasmanian government has completed the final steps to participate in the National Redress Scheme today.

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2018 received Royal Assent, bringing the Tasmanian Government and participating Tasmanian non-government institutions into the Scheme from 1 November 2018.

Federal Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher commended the Tasmanian government for bringing legislation into effect.

“This will be welcome news to those Tasmanian survivors who have applied or are considering applying for redress,” said Minister Fletcher. “I acknowledge that it’s a difficult thing to do and want survivors to know they will be supported every step of the way.”

Tasmania joins New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory in completing arrangements to participate in the National Redress Scheme. Remaining state and territory governments are expected to start in the Scheme soon.

Tasmanian Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Elise Archer said, “This is an important milestone for the estimated 2,000 survivors of institutional child sexual abuse who were so badly let down by Tasmanian institutions that were supposed to be looking after them.”

More than 150 applications for the National Redress Scheme have already been received from people living in Tasmania.

Applications can be made at any time, however, the relevant institution needs to have joined the Scheme and completed all the necessary administrative steps for an application to be processed.

Non-government institutions such as the YMCA and The Salvation Army are already participating in the National Redress Scheme and many more have announced their intention to join. The first Catholic Dioceses and Archdioceses and Anglican Church are expected to start participating in the coming months.

The Australian Government established the National Redress Scheme to acknowledge and support people who experienced child sexual abuse in institutions. Redress can include access to counselling services, a direct personal response from the responsible institution for people who want it, and a redress payment.

To find out more visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377.