Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the 47th Parliament draws to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity this evening to reflect on the important but often understated work of the Joint Standing Committee on the Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, whose final report for this parliament was tabled a little time ago. The committee has been crucial in overseeing the performance of the National Redress Scheme, ensuring it provides justice and support to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. From the start, our role has been to identify ways to improve the scheme's accessibility and fairness to make the best possible experience out of what is often an incredibly confronting one. As chair and now deputy chair, I have seen firsthand the commitment of its members, who work tirelessly to listen to survivors, advocate for their needs and push for reform. Their dedication has been instrumental in identifying areas that work well and those that require improvement.

Established in 2019, the committee comprises eight members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, ensuring a diversity of perspectives. Our mission has always been clear: scrutinise the scheme, gather feedback from survivors and stakeholders and make recommendations on how to better serve those affected by institutional abuse. Over the years, we gathered information from a very wide range of sources. Written submissions from survivors, legal experts, support organisations and academics have provided invaluable insights into the scheme's strengths and shortcomings. Public hearings across the country offered a platform for survivors and advocates to share their experiences directly with the committee. These testimonies were delivered with great courage and, while often confronting, were very necessary. They revealed the very real challenges faced by those seeking redress.

Throughout this process, it has been clear that the work of organisations on the ground remains indispensable. One such organisation is Fremantle based Tuart Place, which provides vital counselling and support services to Western Australians who experienced out-of-home care during childhood. Now its patron, I've seen again and again its positive impact on survivors' lives and its unwavering commitment to supporting those who need it the most. The National Redress Scheme relies on organisations like Tuart Place—and there are many—to ensure survivors have the assistance they need as they navigate the process of healing and recovery.

In order to improve the administrative process, the committee focused its recent inquiry on several key and important areas: simplifying the application process to reduce stress and trauma for survivors; ensuring decisions by independent decision-makers are consistent, transparent and fair; expanding access to counselling and support services for survivors; and addressing the unique challenges faced by Australia's First Nations communities and ensuring culturally safe and appropriate support.

The National Redress Scheme, despite its flaws, has provided an avenue for many survivors. It has acknowledged past wrongs, offered financial compensation and provided access to counselling and psychological services. The direct personal response component has allowed some survivors to seek an apology or explanation directly from the institutions responsible for their abuse. These measures, of course, will never be perfect, but they have validated survivors' experiences and helped many step towards recovery.

However, our work as a committee has also uncovered significant shortcomings in the scheme that must be addressed. The most glaring is probably the inequity in accessing the scheme for First Nations survivors, who continue to encounter major barriers. Many, especially in areas like remote Western Australia, remain unaware of the scheme and how to access it. The application process doesn't sufficiently account for cultural practices, forcing survivors to recount trauma in ways that can be retraumatising. Discrimination over generations has also fostered mistrust of government institutions, deterring many from seeking redress in the first place. Additionally, there is a severe lack of culturally appropriate services, leaving survivors without the tailored support they need and deserve.

To address these issues, the committee has made several recommendations in its most recent report. We've proposed establishing a First Nations advisory panel comprised of community leaders and cultural experts which would guide improvements in cultural safety and accessibility. We also recommended targeted education campaigns for First Nations communities, to raise awareness about the scheme and the possibilities that it offers. Furthermore, we've called for the expansion of culturally safe support services, ensuring Aboriginal controlled organisations are properly resourced to provide trauma informed assistance. Access to services must be improved in regional and remote areas to ensure support for all survivors. Finally, we advocate culturally aware legal advice. Failing to address these inequities risks undermining the scheme's goals, as well as denying people the redress they very deservedly should have.

Beyond these issues faced by First Nations survivors, we identified other weak points worthy of improvement. The application process, while improved in recent years, is still too complex for many survivors. We've recommended further simplification and the introduction of alternative application methods, such as video submissions, to accommodate different preferences. Inconsistent decisions by independent decision-makers have also been a persistent issue, creating frustration, confusion and unfairness. We've called for better training of IDMs and stronger quality assurance measures to ensure decisions are fair and reliable, because survivors deserve clarity and confidence in the redress system.

Equally concerning are the recalcitrant institutions that continue to refuse to participate in the scheme. As of this year, a small number of organisations named in the royal commission have yet to join, delaying or even denying justice for survivors. This is unacceptable. The committee has urged the government to take stronger action, including legislative changes if necessary, to compel these institutions to meet their obligations.

As the scheme approaches its scheduled closure in June 2028, there's a pressing need to evaluate its impact and consider whether extensions or modifications are required and justified. Survivors must have sufficient time and support to access redress, and the government must remain flexible in responding to their needs. Beyond the scheme's closure, a long-term strategy is needed to ensure survivors continue to receive the support they need and deserve. This may include ongoing counselling services, public awareness campaigns and absolutely critical initiatives aimed at preventing future abuse. The work of the joint standing committee has been pivotal in highlighting both the successes and the failings of the National Redress Scheme. As the committee winds up its work in this parliament, the responsibility now lies with the government, and the next government, to act on these findings and implement the changes that are needed without delay.

I'd like to take a moment to thank my fellow committee members for their dedication and cooperation. They have approached these issues with the utmost diligence, courtesy, respect and professionalism. I would like to particularly acknowledge the chair of the committee in this parliament, my colleague Senator Catryna Bilyk, for her leadership, commitment and unswerving pursuit of justice and for her work in ensuring the voices of survivors have always been heard in this, the 47th Parliament. This has truly been a team effort, and each member has played an invaluable role. I'm sure we can all thank them for it.

Finally, to the survivors: as I noted, they displayed remarkable bravery throughout this process. I acknowledge your experiences, and I thank you for your contributions, as we all thank you for the constant courage you display in every day of living your lives. We appreciate your support and your courage. Thank you.