Public hearing on National Redress Scheme

THE Parliamentary Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday for an inquiry into the National Redress Scheme to hear from Knowmore Legal Service, who provide free legal advice and support to people applying for redress, and survivors about their experience accessing the Scheme.

The inquiry is looking into a range of areas, including the experience of First Nations applicants and applicants with disability in their dealings with the scheme; and accessibility, performance and effectiveness of support services and legal advice for survivors and their advocates.

A program for the public hearing will be available on the Committee’s website shortly.

Committee Chair Senator Catryna Bilyk said, "Throughout the inquiry, survivors and redress support services have told us about many different barriers that people experience when applying for redress. For example, we have heard evidence that suggests the redress application form can be hard to fill out, redress outcomes can be confusing or that the Scheme can be hard to contact.

"The committee hopes to learn more about these barriers at Friday’s public hearing. This will assist us with making recommendations to government on how the Scheme could be improved."

Full details of what the inquiry is examining can be found in the terms of reference on the committee’s website. An easy English guide is also available.

Public hearing details

Friday 2 August 2024
10am to approximately 4pm (Canberra time)
Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra

Listen online at www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament then click on a link marked ‘live streaming’ or visit https://www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive>.

 

 

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