Three groups united Representatives of each of the three care leaver groups were invited to speak to a gathering of Labor Members at Parliament House WA on 10 April 2018, to provide a detailed briefing on the Make Redress Right Campaign. Speakers representing the ‘Forgotten Australians’, the Stolen Generations and their descendants, and former child migrants from the UK and Malta gave compelling accounts of their experiences during the one-hour presentation. Standing united in their quest for justice, these three groups are a force to be reckoned with.
It seems reasonable to expect that, at the very least, a redress scheme will do no further harm to its participants
National Redress Scheme Parliamentary Inquiries In the first part of 2018, Tuart Place provided submissions to three Parliamentary Inquiries into the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. Our most recent submission is to the Joint Standing Committee’s Inquiry into the oversight of the implementation of redress related recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Tuart Place submission identifies areas of the National Redress Scheme that require amendment and makes some specific recommendations for improving the Assessment Framework.
Home Stretch Campaign Update The Home Stretch campaign is calling on state and territory governments across Australia to provide an option to extend out-of-home care to 21 years for any young person needing or seeking this. In February 2018, Tasmania became the first State Government to extend care to 21 years, and in June the South Australian government announced that from the start of 2019 carers of young people in foster and kinship care will receive government support payments until the young people in their care turn 21. Many older care leavers describe leaving care as the worst time of all. Institutional life may have been terrible, but they were unprepared
All our submissions are available on the Tuart Place website (Reports & Submissions), and on the Parliamentary websites for each of the Inquiries. In February 2018, FACT Chairperson Ron Love and Tuart Place Director Dr Philippa White gave evidence by invitation at a public hearing of a Senate Committee Inquiry into the Commonwealth Redress Scheme Bill. While they were in Canberra Ron and Pip even managed a quick catch-up with dedicated care leaver advocate Wilma Robb, who kindly drove them to the airport after the Hearing. Thanks Wilma!
Tasmania first state government to extend care to 21 years for what came next – suddenly having to find your way in the outside world. Young people were discharged from institutions, often at the age of 16, not knowing how to use a public telephone, catch a bus or open a bank account. Much has changed over the years, but for today’s young people, leaving care at 18 can still be devastating, and within a year, 50% of state care leavers will be unemployed, in jail, homeless or become a new parent. Providing young people in state care the extended care option provides a platform for a better start in life and better long-term life outcomes. Older care leavers often tell us their greatest wish is for the mistakes of the past not to be repeated with today’s children and young people. You can help achieve this goal by supporting the Home Stretch campaign. Visit www. thehomestretch.org.au to find out more.
Young people in state care should have a place to call home until the age of 21
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