The Federal Department of Social Services says a meeting later in the year will look at how survivors of institutional abuse can access redress if they have missed out on the National Redress Scheme.
It comes after survivors of the Retta Dixon home, a facility in Darwin, learned they would not have access to the National Redress Scheme after the facility’s operator was knocked back from joining the scheme.
The Department of Social Services says Australian Indigenous Ministries was rejected as it was unable to demonstrate its capacity to pay redress for current and any possible future applicants over the life of the scheme.
Knowmore Legal Services has been advising survivors of Retta Dixon. Lauren Hancock from the Law Reform and Advocacy team says there needs to be legislative changes.
While it is not yet known when or how survivors of Retta Dixon will be compensated, the department says those who have named Australian Indigenous Ministries in their application can access free support services through the Scheme which includes legal advice and counselling.
