Child Sex Abuse Compensation Amendment "Doomed to Fail"

By Dylan Caporn
West Australian
October 19, 2016

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/32949680/child-sex-abuse-compensation-amendment-doomed-to-fail/#page1

Graham Jacobs says the decision to not support law changes was devastating for child sex abuse victims.

A bid by a Liberal backbencher to remove the statute of limitations for claims of damages resulting from child sexual abuse before Parliament rises before the March state election appears doomed to fail.

Both the Liberal and National parties have given strong indications they would not support the Bill drafted by Liberal backbencher Graham Jacobs.

Despite receiving support in the Liberal Party room yesterday, it appears concerns from Attorney-General Michael Mischin about “unintended consequences” flowing from the legislation meant it will not be supported in its present form.

Deputy Liberal leader Liza Harvey said the party had agreed to accept the stance as policy, but it would be for a “future government” to consider.

“The Attorney-general’s office and the Premier’s office are working with Dr Jacobs to see how we can improve that legislation and make sure that there’s no unintended consequences of it,” she said.

“But every single member of the Liberal Party room understands the intent of the legislation.

“This piece of legislation does have some flaws.”

Nationals leader Brendon Grylls said while the party had sympathy for the intent of the Bill, there were a number of issues that are unresolved and need further consideration before passage.

“It is an emotive issue but even more reason we get this right,” he said.

Dr Jacobs, who emailed his colleagues on Tuesday night and encouraged them to support the Bill, said the decision was “devastating” for child sex abuse victims.

“What I was really disappointed about was that it seems now after nine months some sort of a distinction between party room endorsement, which was unanimous, and government policy,” he said.

Sexual abuse victim Kirsty Pratt said while she was not surprised, she was “livid” because she felt deceived.

“They gave no indication they had changed their stance, since the April party room meeting,” she said.

With just seven sitting days left this year, it is understood the government will not bring the Bill up for debate before the election.

Leader of the house John Day said the Bill would be progressed “as soon as is feasible.”

Shadow attorney-general John Quigley said the government's actions were “deplorable” and it had put WA victims in the worst position in Australia.