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The federal government's inquiry into the National Redress Scheme will appear in Ballarat on March 20.
The NRS was designed to facilitate redress payments to survivors of childhood sexual abuse from various institutions, including churches, sports clubs, schools, and government-run organisations.
However, it has been criticised by some survivors, who say the payouts are too low, there is no ongoing support, and the difficulty in getting a resolution is off-putting.
The joint select committee on the implementation of the National Redress Scheme, announced in September, will also visit Melbourne on March 19.
The committee's role is to inquire into and report on the Australian Government policy, program and legal response to the redress related recommendations of the Royal Commission.
The public hearing is for anyone who wishes to tell the Committee, in their own words, what is working and what is not with the National Redress Scheme and its implementation.
Ballarat-based survivor of clerical sexual abuse, Stephen Woods, campaigned for years to bring his abusers to justice, and for a proper inquiry, which led to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Childhood Sexual Abuse.
The NRS is part of a recommendation from the Royal Commission - a Department of Social Services spokesperson provided the following statistics.
As at 21 February 2020:
- 6,271 applications had been received by the National Redress Scheme and 1,235 payments made, with an average payment amount of around $81,200.
- 260 offers had been made awaiting an applicant's decision. Applicants have six months to consider their offer.
- Over $100 million had been made in payments under the Scheme.
- 11 per cent of applications were on hold because one or more institution had not joined the Scheme, down from 28 per cent on 31 December 2018.
- 162 non-government institutions were participating in the Scheme, up from 67 last year in addition to the Commonwealth, states and territories. These cover more than 47,600 sites.
- 6,271 applications had been received by the National Redress Scheme and 1,235 payments made, with an average payment amount of around $81,200.
- 260 offers had been made awaiting an applicant's decision. Applicants have six months to consider their offer.
- Over $100 million had been made in payments under the Scheme.
- 11 per cent of applications were on hold because one or more institution had not joined the Scheme, down from 28 per cent on 31 December 2018.
- 162 non-government institutions were participating in the Scheme, up from 67 last year in addition to the Commonwealth, states and territories. These cover more than 47,600 sites.
Mr Woods said he "wouldn't miss" the opportunity to speak at the inquiry in Ballarat, and tell MPs exactly how he feels the scheme was enacted.
"It's a horrendous scheme that has been poorly implemented by people who seemingly don't care," he said.
"There's so many people who have not had any money all their lives, who have not had any compensation, and who aren't going to get redress from the institutions that abused them, and here they are, cap in hand for the government, and it's almost worse than going through the churches for compensation."
He added he was not optimistic about the result of the committee inquiry - an ideal result would be encouraging long-term support from institutions.
"What can be done? There's still bureaucracy, institutions that haven't signed up, and people are just being cast aside yet again," he said.
"If there is any hope of a safety net being extended in real terms, in real attitudes, then absolutely that's the minimum the government needs to be doing, that's the minimum these organisations need to be signed up for."
The Ballarat hearing announcement was welcomed by federal Ballarat MP Catherine King, who had called for it after it was announced Newcastle would be the only regional hearing.
"I am glad to see that the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme has been responsive to the wishes of our community and has announced it will hold a hearing in Ballarat," she said in a statement.
"Survivors in Ballarat know that the Redress Scheme is not perfect, and now they will have the opportunity to make their voices heard.
"These hearings will play an important role in reforming and improving the Redress Scheme going forward. It is important that everyone who wants the opportunity to give their input has that opportunity.
"Ballarat has a strong community of survivors who have been a driving force behind the Royal Commission and the formation of the Redress Scheme, and I am glad they will have the opportunity to have their say."
The Ballarat hearing will be on March 20 from 9.30am until 1.30pm at the Mid City Motel.
Interested survivors, individuals, organisations and other interested parties can register their interest at redress@aph.gov.au or calling the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4549.
The National Redress Scheme website has information for applicants and institutions online.
Affected by this story? There is help available. You can phone CASA, Sebastopol on 5320 3933, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292. Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380, or Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.
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