THE HON DAN TEHAN MP

Minister for Social Services

MEDIA RELEASE
10 May 2018

Legislation introduced for National Redress Scheme

The Australian Government today introduced legislation to create the National Redress
Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

The scheme will begin on 1 July 2018, subject to passage of legislation, providing:
 access to psychological counselling
 a direct personal response from the responsible institution for people who want it
 a monetary payment.

If all states and institutions across Australia opt in, the scheme could provide redress to
around 60,000 people estimated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to
Child Sexual Abuse to have been abused in institutions.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the National Redress Scheme for Institutional
Child Sexual Abuse Bill 2018 would establish the legal framework for a nationally consistent
scheme.

“The establishment of the scheme is an acknowledgement by the Australian Government

and participating governments that sexual abuse suffered by children in institutional settings
was wrong. It was a betrayal of trust. It should never have happened,” Mr Tehan said.

“The establishment of a National Redress Scheme acknowledges this is the most

significant step in addressing past wrongs and providing a just response to survivors.

“The Government continues to work with the states, churches and charities that are yet to
join the Redress Scheme.”

Support services are available to help people who are considering applying for redress.

ENDS
Media contact:
Tehan: Byron Vale 02 6277 7560 | minister.media@dss.gov.au

The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Social Services, Hamilton, Victoria