Thread by @TomMcIlroy

Michaelia Cash will justifiably dominate Canberra news today, but legislation for redress scheme for sex abuse victims will be tabled.

A few of the key points: victims will be offered compensation of up to $150,0000 and personal apologies from institutions if they want one.

The royal commission recommended maximum payments of $200,000 for the most severe cases, with average payments of $65,000.

Victims who have gone on to become a sex offender themselves or been convicted of crimes with sentence of 5 yrs plus won't get compensation.

Compensation will be paid where a “reasonable likelihood’’ that abuse occurred is met. Survivors will get vouchers for legal advice.

Survivors will be required to release institutions from civil liability for the abuse to receive one-off or top up compensation payments.

State governments, churches and charities will be required to opt-in to the scheme. South Australia says it won't, Catholic Church will.

As announced last year, the $4 billion scheme will run for 10 years rather than being open-ended as royal commission proposed.

The royal commission estimates 60,000 children were sexually abused in Australia’s institutions. Family members won't have access to scheme.

Initially, about 1000 victims of abuse in Commonwealth institutions will be covered by the scheme, more as states/organisations join.

Survivors will have 3 months to consider whether or not to accept compensation, not 12 months as recommended by the royal commission.

More on the planned redress scheme here abc.net.au/radio/adelaide… and theaustralian.com.au/national-affai… #auspol

Of the royal commission’s 74 recommendations relevant to redress, the government has adopted 63
and substantially or partially adopted six.

A dedicated redress telephone helpline and website for survivors and families will be available from March 2018.

If the scheme passes Parliament with Labor's support, applications for redress will be open from July 1 2018

Redress scheme being introduced to Parliament now by @cporterwa. He calls abuse in institutions "a shocking betrayal of trust".

Swan MP Steve Irons is in the house to see the legislation introduced. He's a former child home resident.

Christian Porter says state and territory governments "should be ashamed of what happened on their watch"

Porter says survivors in the ACT and NT will get access to redress if governments opt-in. If not, territories will be compelled to join.

Critical point: if survivors die after they apply for compensation but before receiving money, compensation will go to their families.