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ALA welcomes Royal Commission extension

3rd Sep 2014

The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) welcomes the government’s commitment to the extension of the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

ALA spokesperson Dr Andrew Morrison SC congratulated the Federal Government for extending the term of the Royal Commission by an additional two years and $125 million in funding. Dr Morrison said that the extra resources would mean that many additional victims of horrific institutional child abuse would be able to seek justice.

“The Australian Lawyers Alliance is delighted that additional funding and an extension of time has been granted to the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse,” Dr Morrison said.

“These extra resources will allow the continuation of the Royal Commission’s important work and will allow thousands of additional victims to be heard.”

“All victims of institutional abuse must have the opportunity of speaking about their experiences before the Royal Commission is wound up,” Dr Morrison said

“At the same time as it continues to hear from victims, the Commission is currently considering how appropriate compensation for those victims is best ensured. A national redress scheme has many advantages provided it is fair and accessible.”

“Attempts by some offending institutions to have unrealistically low caps on damages and restrict access to legal advice will continue to be opposed,” Dr Morrison said.

Dr Morrison said the Australian Lawyers Alliance would continue to strongly support the work of the Royal Commission and the efforts of victims of institutional child abuse in their quest to seek common law compensation for institutional abuse.

Tags: Compensation Access to justice Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse