Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak—

Mr Perrett interjecting—

We are never short of a comment from the member for Moreton. I rise today to speak about an important anniversary that occurred on 16 November. On Wednesday last week, I attended a morning tea to acknowledge and recognise the seventh anniversary of the National Apology to the Forgotten Australians. It is a very significant day for the hundreds of thousands of people who identify as care-leavers and for those who survived institutional child sex abuse while in care.

Although this is not a traditional anniversary—five years or 10—this seventh anniversary marked yet another significant turning point for care-leavers in our nation's history. Earlier this month, I joined with Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, to announce the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sex abuse. This seventh anniversary marks further recognition and acknowledgement of the pain and suffering endured by care-leavers, and the Redress Scheme is an important part of that healing process.

I would like to make a special mention of Cheryle Warner, a care-leaver herself, who has been on her own personal journey on the path to redress. It was great to see Cheryle at the morning tea and it reminded me that she once told me that redress was critical in restoring people's honour, dignity and self-worth. I am proud to be part of the government that has established this scheme.

I would also like to thank Relationships Australia for their role in organising the anniversary morning tea. I was also very pleased to see Western Australia's Senator Rachel Siewert joining the morning tea with the care-leavers for what is a very significant day for them.