Northern Territory Joins National Redress Scheme for Child Sexual Abuse Victims
The Northern Territory government has finally agreed to participate in the National Redress Scheme for victims of child sexual abuse in sporting institutions. This decision ends a months-long stalemate between states, territories, and the federal government.
The National Redress Scheme was established to provide compensation and support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. However, twelve sporting organizations refused to join the scheme, leaving at least 50 claims by survivors in limbo.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth had been urging states and territories to step in and become funders of last resort for these claims. All other states and territories had already agreed to do so, but the NT initially held out.
However, on Thursday afternoon, the NT government announced it would now be supporting the change. This means that all jurisdictions are now on board, and the necessary changes to the scheme can be implemented.
The parliamentary inquiry into the operation of the National Redress Scheme had recommended that the federal government increase funding to ensure all applications can be finalized on time. While Minister Rishworth did not commit to additional funding, she did point to $142 million already allocated to the scheme's operations over the next five years.
She also urged the twelve sporting organizations that refused to join the scheme to reconsider their decision. "I call on each of these institutions to do the right thing by survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, reverse their decision and join the scheme as a priority," she said.
The National Redress Scheme is currently scheduled to end in 2028, but the recent parliamentary review recommended that it be extended beyond that date to meet demand. State, territory, and federal ministers have also agreed to increase reporting obligations on institutions to improve the delivery of direct, personal responses to survivors.
Ministers responsible for the scheme will meet again in mid-2025 to discuss further progress and potential improvements.