Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney has today outlined Redress WA ex-gratia payments will likely be limited to a maximum of up to $45,000 for victims of abuse in both State and non-government institutions, following recent actuarial analysis commissioned by the Department for Communities.

More than 10,000 applications were received by the time the scheme closed on April 30. This followed a 13-month long campaign to raise awareness of the ex-gratia payments.

“Of the $114million budgeted for the delivery of the scheme, $90.2million was apportioned for ex-gratia payments alone,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“Although the scheme is well intentioned, what we have now found is the budget allocated by the Opposition cannot support the maximum threshold of $80,000.”

“The flow-on impact means the maximum amount payable will decrease. Recent analysis conducted by experienced actuaries in this field has revealed that, based on the severity of cases we are assessing and the allocated budget and total applications received, a maximum payment of up to $45,000 is the more likely scenario.”

“It has become clear to me in the past few weeks the most important thing is to let claimants know where they stand and be as upfront about the likely adjustment to the scheme.”

“Ahead of any disbursements, I can assure claimants the Government is sincere in offering ex-gratia payments for any abuse suffered in State care.”

Mrs McSweeney also stated she would be in frequent contact with claimants with the first round of payments to be offered by the end of this year and final payments completed by mid-2011.