An inquiry into the National Redress Scheme will make its way to Newcastle as it hears from institutions and survivors of child sexual abuse for the two-year review of the scheme.
The Parliamentary Inquiry is preparing its second review of the Scheme and will hold five public hearings, including a session at Newcastle.
The redress scheme was launched following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which focused heavily on crimes perpetrated in Newcastle.
The Committee's Deputy Chair and Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, said the hearings in Newcastle will play a key role in the inquiry.
"In the same way that people of Newcastle made a very strong contribution to the last report of the last inquiry into the National Redress Scheme, I think it is vital that the voices in Newcastle are heard again as we now approach the upcoming two-year review of the Scheme," she said.
"The shocking cases that we've had in our region of course were catalysts for the establishment of the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. So, we know that there are many people in Newcastle who have a very valuable contribution to make to this inquiry"
The hearing in Newcastle will be held on March 31.
Sharon Claydon said the inquiry is investigating various problems with the Scheme and the provision of funds.
"The National Redress Scheme has now been operating for more than 18 months and only 975 payments have been made. There are about 6,000 applications I believe still sitting to be assessed.
"That is unacceptable and I know that survivors in Newcastle will also find that offensive".
She said some organisations are yet to enrol in the Redress Scheme, and this will be examined a the inquiry.
“I’m also very worried that the Government still has no plan to deal with the organisations that don’t sign up to the scheme by the deadline of 30 June 2020.”
Stakeholders and survivors interested in taking part in the hearing can contact the Committee Secretariat on 6277 4549 or redress@aph.gov.au to register their interest.
