The ACT will join the national redress scheme for child sexual abuse victims, becoming the third jurisdiction to agree to the Commonwealth government's plan.
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Opting-in to the scheme, which will begin on July 1, was an important step in acknowledging the harm caused by institutionalised child sexual abuse and accepting responsibility, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said in a joint statement on Monday.
"Now the ACT government has committed to the scheme, I urge non-governmental institutions operating in the Territory to follow our lead and opt-in as well," Mr Barr said.
The scheme will give eligible survivors in Canberra access to counselling and psychological services, payments of up to $150,000, and a direct personal response from the institution where they were abused.
Federal Social Services Minister Dan Tehan says the ACT's decision brings Australia closer to a truly national scheme.
He urged the remaining government and non-government institutions to join.
"Governments and organisations must take responsibility for the abuse that happened on their watch, and provide payment and support in recognition of the survivors," Mr Tehan said.
NSW and Victoria have already signed up to the scheme, which was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
However, Queensland and Western Australia still have concerns and want the federal government to give more information before they join.
South Australia and Tasmania are yet to make a formal decision.
Mr Ramsay acknowledged much of the detail about the scheme was yet to be finalised.
State and territory attorneys-general will meet on Monday to further work on making sure the redress scheme meets the needs of survivors and is broadly accessible to all victims.
Australian Associated Press
