AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By James Hancock
“Very substantial progress” has been made towards setting up a proposed national redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse, with no state or territory government ruling out signing up to the project, according to Social Services Minister Christian Porter.
He met with Attorneys-General and representatives of various church and community groups in Melbourne on Friday morning to discuss details of the scheme.
The Federal Government has allocated $33 million for its establishment by the middle of next year, with victims to receive up to $150,000 in compensation.
The Commonwealth lacks the powers to force the states to sign up, but Mr Porter is confident after the meeting that any issues can be resolved.
“Now each of them have offered up views and suggestions and nominated challenges but these are things I think, based on the goodwill and good faith of today’s discussions, can be worked through,” he said.
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