Watch live: No new compensation scheme for abuse survivors, more funds for current system
The government has opted against setting up a new compensation scheme for survivors of abuse in state care - in favour of putting more money in the current system.
That's despite it being the key recommendation of both the Royal Commission and the Redress Design Group.
During November's apology to survivors the Prime Minister committed to a new system that would be more responsive to survivors' needs.
"But I want to assure you it is our intention to have a new single redress system operating next year," Christopher Luxon said.
The Minister-in-charge, Erica Stanford, has announced this month's Budget will commit $774 million to improve the current redress system and make changes that will endeavour to "prevent, identify, and respond to abuse in the future".
Erica Stanford speaking at a press conference on Wednesday.
Photo:
Samuel Rillstone / RNZ
On the decision to not set up a new entity, Stanford said the government was faced with a "difficult choice".
"Do we spend more time and money on setting up a new scheme, or do we provide more to survivors now through the current redress process?
"For Budget 25 we have prioritised improving the current system as quickly as possible for survivors and investing in changes that have a direct impact for them," Stanford said.
The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry found
at least 200,000 people had been abused
, and even more neglected, by the state and faith-based institutions since 1950.
Its final report, released last July, outlined 138 recommendations to right the wrongs of the past and to ensure the safety of every child, young person and adult in care today.
In 2021, the inquiry made 95 recommendations for establishing an independent, fair and effective redress scheme for all survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care with existing schemes to be phased out.
During November's apology to survivors, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced $32 million to support existing schemes while the coalition ironed out details of the new redress system.
On Friday Stanford confirmed a number of additions to the redress system over the next year:
The $774m set aside in the Budget will also put investment into the wider care system over the next fours year, including:
Stanford said there would also be funding for the "continuation of the Survivor Experiences Service who provide an important survivor-led service, better record keeping and access to records, and for an independent review of the changes to the redress system in 2027".
"Cabinet has also decided that for new claims from survivors who are also serious sexual and/or violent offenders who have been sentenced to five years or more in prison a new process will apply.
"Modelled on similar approaches in Australia and Scotland, this will involve an independent decision maker who will need to assure themselves that a redress payment would not bring the scheme into disrepute," Stanford said.
Legislation establishing this will be introduced later this year, and a ministerial advisory group of survivors and advocates will be set up in the coming months to provide advice to ministers on the government's response.
"Redress decisions, at this point, do not include claims that currently sit with school boards, faith-based organisations, or other non-state providers. The Government will be receiving further advice on this later this year," Stanford said.
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