MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR PROPOSES INQUIRY INTO REDRESS SCHEME - THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 2019

LABOR PROPOSES INQUIRY INTO REDRESS SCHEME

Labor is calling on the Government to support a proposed Joint Select Committee on the Implementation of the National Redress Scheme.

The committee will examine, among other things, the Government’s excruciatingly slow rollout of redress for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

Labor Senator Patrick Dodson has tabled the notice of motion to establish the Inquiry in the Senate today.

The scheme is projected to provide redress to 60,000 survivors. And yet, the latest data shows that only 4,100 applications have been made and only 229 Redress payments have been made.

This is not acceptable. Survivors have already waited too long.

Many people seeking redress are older and in ill health, and we can’t afford to see more people die waiting.

It is the responsibility of our whole community to make sure those people who were let down and betrayed by institutions and governments have can access redress and justice.

The Parliament, the states and territories, and institutions must deliver on the promises they have made to prevent this ever happening again.

The Government needs to support this important Inquiry to ensure that institutions are joining as quickly as possible, and that applications are processed accurately, and in a timely manner.

THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 2019