Chief Minister Michael Gunner has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull advising that the Northern Territory will join the new national scheme.  

The Territory’s Attorney-General Natasha Fyles said this was an important recommendation from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

“The National Redress Scheme provide access to psychological counselling, a direct personal response (such as an apology) and a monetary payment,” she said.

``Child sexual abuse won’t be tolerated – no matter how long ago it happened.’’

``As a government we have a duty to help heal the wrongs of the past and to acknowledge the pain and suffering of victims.”

Minister Fyles said the Territory Government will opt in to the National Redress Scheme as a participating Territory, subject to the finalisation of policy details.

“The Australian Government is negotiating with other jurisdictions and non-government institutions including churches and charities to encourage them to also opt in to the Scheme,” she said.

“Initial estimates are that there are more than 1,000 survivors who may be eligible for the National Redress Scheme in the Northern Territory.”

The National Redress Scheme is due to start on 1 July 2018, and will run for 10 years, subject to the passage of legislation.

Redress is intended to acknowledge the harm caused, and support people who have experienced child sexual abuse in an institution to positively move forward.

For more information about the Redress Scheme see www.dss.gov.au/redress, or contact the National Redress Information Line on 1800 146 713.