Doubts over Sexual Abuse Compensation Plan As States Stall

By Tom McIlroy
Sydney Morning Herald
November 16, 2016

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/states-stall-on-turnbull-governments-sexual-abuse-compensation-plan-20161115-gsq7p9.html

[with video]

A national system to compensate victims of child sexual abuse looks to be in doubt as states and territories withhold their support amid questions about the efficacy of an opt-in redress scheme.

The federal government surprised some states with Social Services Minister Christian Porter's November 4 announcement of a $4.3 billion scheme, following a recommendation of the royal commission into child sexual abuse.

No further details have been provided, leaving states including Western Australia and Victoria seeking answers and the development of some state schemes in limbo.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett told Fairfax Media he'd had no consultation from the federal government, despite Mr Porter saying it would seek national co-operation and even force the ACT and Northern Territory governments to sign up.

Mr Barnett said he would his raise concerns with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting on December 9.

"This is a significant issue for the Commonwealth and states, and it is important that we get it right, because we need to ensure the best possible support for those affected," he said.

"There should be uniformity across Australia with all states progressing state-based redress schemes before we have a Commonwealth scheme. Many states have done nothing."

Western Australia's participation would be subject to how the new scheme worked with its own established compensation regime.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter. Photo: Andrew Meares

A Tasmanian government spokeswoman said the state did not support the implementation of a national scheme for child sex abuse victims in institutions, "primarily because to do so would risk creating different classes of victims".

Tasmania also has its own scheme.

Colin Barnett says he will seek more information about a national redress scheme from the federal government. Photo: Philip Gostelow

Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula has written to Mr Porter seeking further information about the plan, but is yet to receive a response.

South Australia won't join, while NSW supports a federal-led system.

A spokesman for Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said her state was yet to see details and wanted to liaise with other governments.

The NT Department of Attorney-General and Justice is preparing an options paper for government.

Churches and charities are also are under pressure to sign up to the plan, offering victims compensation of up to $150,000 and providing mental health support.

The 10-year scheme, due to begin in 2018, will see responsible groups fund the cost of their participation and compensation payments. The Commonwealth will foot the bill as a last resort for institutions and organisations that no longer exist or can't pay.

The royal commission estimated compensation for 60,000 abuse survivors and administration would cost $4.3 billion, recommending minimum individual payments of $10,000 and maximums of $200,000 for the most severe cases.

The Catholic Church, expected to be one of the largest contributors to compensation, welcomed the announcement and offered co-operation.

Mr Porter was unavailable for interview on Wednesday.

He said in a statement consultations with states governments had been conducted over many months, including with all jurisdictions at ministerial meetings of attorneys-general and discussions with officials about nationally consistent redress.

"These discussions are continuing and led by the Commonwealth's Redress Taskforce in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet."

"It is in this context that the Commonwealth is establishing an independent advisory council comprising a broad range of specialists, including survivor groups, legal and psychological experts, to provide advice on the implementation of the scheme in the lead-up to its introduction in 2018."

He said all jurisdictions were told of the plan before the November 4 announcement, a claim disputed by at least two state governments.

Mr Porter said the Commonwealth could force participation.

"However, indications so far have been positive, particularly from non-government institutions, including the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat indicating it would fully participate in the scheme," he said.