National redress scheme needs extension to address backlog, inquiry says

The national redress scheme must remain open until all applications from child sexual abuse survivors are processed, according to a new cross-party parliamentary report.

Labor MPs are calling on their own government to extend the scheme beyond its legislated June 2028 closure date, and negotiate new arrangements with states and territories to ensure it remains open.

The scheme was established to provide victims of institutional child sexual abuse with counselling, compensation and an acknowledgement or apology.

But ABC analysis shows at current processing rates, thousands of claims would not be resolved by the scheduled closure date. 

Currently, the scheme will cease taking applications on June 30 2027, with thousands more claims anticipated to be lodged before then.

The committee — which includes Labor, opposition and Greens MPs — has also called for an extension to the application deadline with a new date of December 31 2027.

'It's forced me to dig really deep': Labor MP

Inquiry chair Labor MP Jodie Belyea, herself a survivor of sexual abuse, said the scheme must be extended as a matter of urgency.

"Clearly the scheme finishing on June 2028 is not going to provide enough time for a review of all the applications," she said.

She hoped her experience had helped contribute to positive change for others through these recommendations.

"I've been on my own healing and recovery journey that has taken years … I'm here in this role as a federal MP in some respects because of my experiences, because it's forced me to dig really deep," she said.

Extending the scheme would be complex, due to the federal government not only needing to negotiate with the states and territories but also institutions such as churches, sports organisations and community groups.

But Ms Belyea remains optimistic.

"It's a bipartisan report which everyone is committed to. I know Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek is very committed to the National Redress Scheme, so we will work to do everything we can, as is the department," she said.

Asked whether Ms Plibersek had indicated she was open to the government extending the scheme, Ms Belyea said the pair had not had that conversation.

Government will not be drawn on extension

The federal government will not say whether it will extend the scheme beyond its current June 30 2028 closure date.

A spokesperson for Ms Plibersek said the government had worked to accelerate processing times.

"We cannot erase the injustice that has been committed against Australia's victim-survivors, but we will continue to do all we can to help in the long, difficult process of healing," they said.

"The legislated eight-year review of the Scheme, currently underway, will provide advice to government on how to ensure valid applications lodged in time can be processed in time.

"We're not going to let victim-survivors down."

The spokesperson said the federal government was waiting on the findings of the legislated review of the scheme that was currently underway before making any decisions.

That review will hand down its report in November.

Scheme backlog already well ahead of processing times

Based on this year's data, if the scheme maintains its current monthly processing average of nearly 1,000 applications a month, it would not clear all of the claims already on its books until 2029.

The Department of Social Services is anticipating more than 1,500 applications will be lodged every month until the current scheme's application deadline of June 30 next year.

The report recommends that by extending the application deadline, "priority cohorts" would then have better access to support, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, those in aged care and people in jail.

Survivors, legal experts, advocates and politicians have told the ABC these figures show the current closure date would be disastrous for survivors trying to get compensation or an apology.

The latest audit of the scheme, released last December, found applicants were facing ballooning wait times — something victims say causes them significant distress.

Jackie Mead, CEO of Knowmore legal service, which supports survivors negotiating the scheme, said the report marks a key moment for the scheme.

"The committee's report highlights that the redress scheme is at a crossroads," she said.

"The choices made in this place [parliament house] will decide whether survivors get access to redress and what the legacy of this world-leading scheme is for the years to come."