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WA redrafting redress bill for nationwide alignment
Western Australia’s main legal body has welcomed a government decision to incorporate opposition party amendments to the state’s uptake of legislation for its implementation of the National Redress Scheme.
Grace Ormsby
The Law Society of Western Australia has expressed its support for the change to the National Redress Scheme for Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on grounds of uniformity and fairness.
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Previous drafting of the bill would have barred survivors of child sexual abuse from applying for criminal injuries compensation, if they had previously received a redress payment.
Speaking on behalf of the society, president Hayley Cormann commended the state government and opposition “for coming to an agreement to incorporate this amendment to the legislation”.
“The change will ensure survivors of child sexual abuse retain their existing statutory right to claim criminal injuries compensation for losses suffered," she said.
“The bill as previously drafted would have resulted in Western Australia standing alone as the only state in which an applicant would be unable to receive criminal injuries compensation if they accept a redress payment.”
Restating the Society’s position on the amendment, Ms Cormann concluded that the change will “help create a nationally consistent redress scheme, which the Law Society has always supported”.
