Queensland commits $550 million to National Redress Scheme for survivors of sexual abuse

By Chris O'brien And Josh Bavas
ABC News
April 30, 2018

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-30/queensland-commits-$550-million-to-national-redress-scheme/9711204

Annastacia Palaszczuk called the funding announcement an important milestone.

Queensland will pay $550 million to the national redress scheme for survivors of sexual abuse in government-run institutions.

The state had delayed committing to the scheme, partly because an earlier Queensland scheme existed following the 1999 Forde Inquiry.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said 5,000 Queenslanders were expected to be eligible.

An additional 5,000 people who were abused in privately run institutions could also be eligible, but Ms Palaszczuk said that funding should come from churches and other organisations.

"What you are seeing now is an almost national consensus across the board," she said.

"Already Victoria and New South Wales had signed up, and let's not forget they did not have any redress scheme in the past, so Queensland had to sort through some of those issues."

The national scheme was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Queensland Government said it would follow suit with the Federal Government and cap payments at $150,000, despite the royal commission recommending a cap of up to $200,000.

Kelvin Johnston from the Queensland Child Sexual Abuse Legislative Reform Committee said it was disappointing to see the payments capped.

"Any redress is good, however I question the amount of money that is being asked to cap given that one of the churches has negotiated a $1.5 million payment for one of the many survivors," he said.

Mr Johnston said he expected many more survivors would now come forward.

"We shouldn't be selective on where those people have come from — people who have had their life dramatically damaged because of this sort of abuse, like people who are in prison because they haven't been able to cope with the emotional regulation that comes with this sort of stuff."

Ms Palaszczuk said survivors compensated after the Forde Inquiry could be further compensated under the national redress scheme.

She said it was an important milestone acknowledging the suffering of those abused in care.

"Although no amount of money can return a lost childhood, it is important that we acknowledge what these victims have been through," she said.

However, LNP leader Deb Frecklington said the Premier has been slow to act on the issue.

"It's about time she got to work and did something about it," Ms Frecklington said.

"Why does the Premier have to be dragged kicking and screaming and then stand up like she's some superhero?

"She should have done something about this two years ago."

Mary Adams, who suffered abuse as a child at the Neerkol orphanage in central Queensland, said she had been petitioning for a redress scheme for 40 years.

She said while she welcomed the move, it came too late for some.

"We want all Queenslanders to know our legacy of the past to ensure that it never happens again," she said.

"But mainly to empower children and people today — that they have avenues and that they don't have to remain silent like we did for many years.

"I would also like to acknowledge here today those who have long ago who have been in the struggle with us and who have lost their lives prematurely — you're in our thoughts."

Ms Adams said she hoped non-government institutions like churches would now step up to the mark.

"Especially the churches because it is their mandate when harm is done," she said.

"This is only part of the reconciliation though, because many of us are getting older and our needs are for health and assistance and things like that.

"We have more dialogue to do with the premier of this state."