Add Category
Extra staff will be hired to handle applications to the National Redress Scheme for victims of child sexual abuse, as the program buckles under the weight of a huge backlog in cases.
- About 11,000 of more than 200,000 applications for financial support since 2018 have been finalised
- Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said $15 million from the federal budget would be funnelled into the scheme
- This year, around 700 applications have been made each month, up from about 300 in previous years
Since July 2018, more than 200,000 applications for financial support have been made, but only around 11,000 have been finalised.
The scheme has been widely criticised for being painstakingly slow and re-traumatising for those forced to relive their abuse as they detail the horrible offences committed against them.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said $15 million from last month's federal budget would be funnelled into the scheme.
"The previous government did not adequately resource the scheme," Ms Rishworth said.
"What we've had is a significant backlog.
"This boost is to try and meet the needs, in a timely fashion, of the processing of applications."
The rate of monthly applications is also growing, particularly with the ability for victims to now upload their claims online.
The average monthly number of applications this year is around 700, while in previous years it has been around 300.
"For some people applying for redress, it does take some time, it can be a very emotionally distressing situation," Ms Rishworth said.
"It takes some time to process, some people put their application in and then it takes some time for them to come back to their application.
"Notwithstanding some of the emotional toll it does take on people, we want to make sure that if people want their application progressed, that it is not administrative burden that gets in the way."
Victims' advocates have been scathing in their assessment of some of the redress scheme's processes, including the inconsistencies in rulings made by Independent Decision Makers (IDM) for financial support.
Some have claimed people with similar stories of abuse will receive wildly varying offers of compensation.
The maximum amount offered by the National Redress Scheme is $150,000, and advance payments of $10,000 for people waiting for an outcome.
Ms Rishworth was asked whether the process, rather than the workforce levels, was also under review – but noted extra IDMs would be hired with the funding injection.
"We want the most skilled Independent Decision Makers possible," she said.
"While redress is really important to give some sort of closure, potentially along with not just the monetary value but perhaps an apology from the institution, it's also a really difficult time.
"So we're making sure, not only are the independent decision makers able to be appropriately trained, but also making sure that the whole experience from when you pick up the phone is properly trauma informed."
Some claims for redress have been held up because institutions no longer exist, and governments have not agreed to become the funder of last resort.
"I have, on a number of occasions, approved a state or territory government being the funder of last resort," Ms Rishworth said.
"I've signed off on a number of situations where the institution is no longer operating, and so leaves people in a little bit of limbo.
"I have been progressing that with state and territory governments and will continue to do that."