National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (2025 Measures No. 9) Declaration 2025

Overview

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (2025 Measures No. 9) Declaration 2025 was enacted to address the need for ongoing updates to the National Redress Scheme, established under the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018. This instrument was made by Patrick Hetherington, acting on behalf of the Minister for Social Services, and it aims to amend the original 2018 Declaration to include additional institutions implicated in child sexual abuse cases. The Declaration amends the list of institutions covered by the Scheme, ensuring that more victims have access to the redress and support provided by the Scheme. The enactment of this instrument is intended to help the Scheme keep pace with emerging information about institutional child sexual abuse and to extend support to those who may have been overlooked previously.

Scope and Application

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (2025 Measures No. 9) Declaration 2025 is an amendment to the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Declaration 2018, made under the authority of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018. This amendment applies to specific institutions and entities that have been involved in institutional child sexual abuse cases, expanding the scope of the original declaration to include additional institutions and entities that fall under the purview of the scheme. The amendment also includes modifications to the definitions and references within the original declaration to ensure clarity and accuracy. This amendment commenced on the day after the instrument was registered, with certain provisions taking effect immediately after the commencement of the primary provisions. The amendment applies nationally, extending the scheme's reach to encompass a broader range of institutions and entities involved in child sexual abuse. The amendment does not introduce any new exclusions or exemptions but rather refines the existing framework to better address the issues at hand.

Key Provisions

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (2025 Measures No. 9) Declaration 2025I, made by Patrick Hetherington, the delegate of the Minister for Social Services, amends the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Declaration 2018. The commencement of the amendments is detailed in the table, with certain provisions taking effect the day after registration, and others immediately following the commencement of earlier provisions (Section 2). The instrument is authorised under various subsections and sections of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (Section 3). The amendments outlined in Schedule 1 primarily concern the inclusion and specification of institutions and their associated entities within the scheme. These include adding new institutions such as Christian College Geelong, Church of the Foursquare Gospel (Australia) Limited, and Dalby Christian Family Church Ltd, among others, to the list of covered entities (Schedule 1, items 198-202). Additionally, it modifies the language in certain subsections to reflect the inclusion of multiple institutions under single entries (Schedule 1, items 286-290). The schedule also adds new institutions to the table and removes outdated or irrelevant entries (Schedule 1, items 839-863 and items 328, 87). The obligations imposed by this legislation primarily revolve around the inclusion and proper identification of institutions and their entities that fall under the purview of the National Redress Scheme. These entities are now legally required to adhere to the scheme’s protocols and processes for addressing and compensating victims of institutional child sexual abuse. The amendments ensure that all relevant institutions and their branches or associated entities are correctly identified and included within the scheme. Breaches of the obligations under this legislation could lead to various civil and criminal consequences. The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 includes provisions for penalties and enforcement actions against institutions that fail to comply with the scheme’s requirements. While the specific penalties are detailed within the main Act, non-compliance could potentially result in fines, legal action, or other enforcement measures as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The precise maximum penalties would be found in the primary Act itself, but the seriousness of the potential consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the scheme’s stipulations.