Queensland Government Passes National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

On 28 September 2018 Queensland’s parliament passed the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2018. The Bill enables Queensland residents who have been affected by institutional child sex abuse to apply for compensation under the National Redress Scheme.

The National Redress Scheme was passed by Federal Parliament earlier this year in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Redress Scheme will operate for a period of 10 years from 1 July 2018. Among other things survivors can apply for a payment of up to $150,000 and can access counselling and psychological services. There is also an option for survivors to receive a direct personal response from the responsible institution.

The Bill follows recent amendments to Queensland’s Limitations of Actions Act which has removed statutory time limits for victims of child sex abuse. The amended Limitations of Actions Act now permits a civil claim for damages to be brought at any time by survivors of child sexual abuse.