Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brockman for this question. I know that he is very interested in this subject on behalf of Western Australians and all Australians. I thank him for his service as chair of the joint standing committee.

I am pleased to inform the Senate that the Senate has now passed legislation establishing this very important National Redress Scheme. We look forward to the Redress Scheme being truly national, delivering nationally consistent treatment for survivors. In recent weeks, we have seen our state and territory governments agree to join the scheme. I'm pleased that the Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Tasmania have expressed their commitment to provide redress. The Western Australian government has given a firm commitment to the Commonwealth that Western Australia will join the scheme, and we are hopeful of a public announcement shortly. Importantly, key non-government institutions have also opted in. These include the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Uniting Church, the Salvation Army, the YMCA and the Scouts.

With the passage of the bill through the Senate today, we have taken an important step in delivering a truly national and nationally consistent redress so that no survivors are left in limbo. This is a very good moment for this Senate and this parliament. I thank the Senate for its consideration and passage of this important piece of legislation.