Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Bill 2023. The evidence tells us that survivors of child sexual abuse are more likely to be incarcerated later in life. My wife, when she was a solicitor working for knowmore, the community legal service centre to help victims of abuse, spoke to many of her clients and took their statements in prisons right around Australia. That's the sad reality. The amendments to this bill are fair measures which give this particular group of survivors the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

I note that the member for Deakin's contribution focused on eternal retribution for the survivors of childhood sexual abuse who'd been subsequently incarcerated. Many Christians can't hear that redemption song. I find that very disappointing. Perhaps they should spend a bit more time reading the New Testament rather than wallowing always in the Old Testament. Some sequels are actually better! Compassion and a belief in redemption and humanity does not mean you're lenient on crime. I stress that to the member for Deakin.

When I spoke in parliament back in 2018 on the National Redress Scheme, I said that whatever had happened in the past must be remedied in the future and that the future must include such a national redress scheme. But fast forward to today, 7 February 2024, and I'm pleased to say that, as a sign of the Albanese government's commitment to continual improvement of the scheme, the bill also includes an amendment to the act that will improve the process for applicants with serious criminal convictions so that the special assessment process is only required for a person convicted of an unlawful killing, terrorism offences or sexual offences, with exceptional circumstances where appropriate. It will also allow incarcerated survivors to apply for redress— (Time expired)

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