Tas Anglicans to sell property for redress
Survivors of child sexual abuse in Tasmania will get a payout after the Anglican Diocese announced the sale of more than 120 churches, halls and houses.
Kaitlyn Offer - Australian Associated Press April 22, 2018 2:30pm
Tasmania's Anglican Diocese will sell off scores of churches and other properties to find $8 million to redress survivors of child sexual abuse.
Bishop Richard Condie announced the sale of churches, halls, houses and land on Sunday, saying the diocese hopes to be a part of a national scheme.
"With an estimated liability of around $8 million in new and additional payments to survivors, it will require decisive action and significant sacrifice for everyone across our diocese," he said in a statement.
"We intend to raise these funds from a proportion of Parish and Diocesan investments, through selling Parish properties, and by direct Parish contributions."
Every parish in the state will be affected and at the June meeting of all parish representatives, it will be suggested more than 120 properties be sold - nearly half of all of the church's real estate.
Bishop Condie said while he understood the sale would cause hurt for church members, it had a commitment to justice, recognition and support to survivors.
"We have not yet finalised the list of the properties that will be identified for sale, however I expect that we will be able to release these details within the next few weeks," he said.
As well as wanting to join the National Redress Scheme, the diocese will continue to operate its own Pastoral Support and Assistance Scheme and this week agreed in principle to increase the payment cap to $150,000 per claim.
The federal government is urging all states and territories to join the scheme, stemming from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The NSW, Victorian and ACT governments have signed up, but other jurisdictions are yet to join.
Payments will be assessed on a case-by-case basis with a maximum of $150,000.