Qld, Wa Won't Bow to Pressure on Redress

AAP NEWS
March 9, 2018

http://national.sheppnews.com.au/2018/03/09/135150/pm-urges-churches-to-sign-redress-scheme

Thousands of child sex abuse survivors are set to get access to compensation after Victoria and NSW signed on to the federal government's national redress scheme.

The deal caps payments at $150,000 a person, although the average payment is about $10,000 higher than what the royal commission recommended.

"It's a matter of getting the balance right and ensuring that as many institutions, both state and territory, and non-government institutions, like the churches, opt in to the scheme," Mr Tehan told ABC TV on Friday.

Social Services Minister Dan Tehan said Victoria and NSW signing up was a "giant" step for the scheme.

"The fact that we've got the two largest states now on board, New South Wales and Victoria, is a significant breakthrough for survivors and a national redress scheme," he said.

South Australian premier Jay Weatherill has softened his initial opposition in the lead up to the March 17 state election with an in-principle decision to opt in.

"I'm hopeful once we get the election out of the way, that they will see fit to come and join the scheme," Mr Tehan said.

Once the remaining states and territories sign on, the scheme is expected to cover 60,000 people nationally.

"The figures will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," Mr Tehan said.

Victorian and NSW victims of abuse will be able to access the scheme from July 1.