Parliament Advances Redress Bill to Support Survivors of Abuse in State Care

The New Zealand Government has taken another crucial step toward justice for survivors of abuse in state care, with the Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill passing its first reading in Parliament. The legislation marks a major milestone in the Government's broader response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, setting the stage for the establishment of a long-term, survivor-focused redress system.

Recognising the Experiences of Survivors

Lead Coordination Minister for the Crown Response, Erica Stanford, said the Bill's primary purpose is to formally recognise the trauma suffered by people who experienced abuse or neglect while in state care and to offer them a fair, accessible alternative to litigation.

"The Bill provides that the purpose of a State redress scheme is to recognise a person's experience of abuse in care and offer a pathway as an alternative to litigation to provide for redress," Minister Stanford explained. "Redress includes a financial payment, an apology, access to care records, and counselling or other wellbeing services."

This new system aims to deliver acknowledgment, accountability, and healing — something many survivors have long called for. It is designed to replace the often lengthy and adversarial legal process that has historically stood as a barrier to justice.

Meaningful Apologies and Independent Oversight

A key aspect of the Bill is its emphasis on meaningful apologies. Under the proposed law, state agencies will be empowered and expected to offer apologies that are both personal and substantive — recognising the harm done and the state's role in it.

Additionally, the Bill introduces a new framework for independent consideration of financial redress in cases where a survivor has also committed serious sexual or violent offences and received a prison sentence of more than five years. This independent process, modeled on a similar Australian system, ensures that payments made under the redress scheme uphold public trust.

"I acknowledge there will be strong and diverse views about the proposed additional scrutiny by an independent decision maker where a survivor has committed serious offences," Stanford said. "This approach does not automatically exclude any survivor from receiving financial redress. However, it requires the independent decision maker to be satisfied that making such a payment would not bring the scheme into disrepute."

This nuanced framework seeks to balance compassion for survivors with a clear standard of integrity for the redress process — recognising that a small number of those who were abused in care have also caused harm to others.

Encouraging Survivor Participation

The Bill has now been referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee, where it will undergo detailed scrutiny over the next five months. During this period, survivors, advocacy groups, and members of the public are encouraged to share their perspectives and experiences to help shape the final form of the legislation.

"I know the Committee will give the Bill the careful consideration that it deserves, and I encourage survivors, their advocates, and all other interested parties to submit on the Bill," Stanford said.

A Step Toward Healing and Accountability

The Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill represents an important component of the Government's broader efforts to implement the Royal Commission's recommendations and acknowledge the profound harm caused by decades of systemic abuse in state and faith-based institutions.

By creating a system that prioritises empathy, fairness, and accountability, the Bill seeks to restore trust and provide survivors with recognition and closure. It also reaffirms New Zealand's commitment to ensuring that the failures of the past are not repeated, and that the voices of those who suffered in care are finally heard and respected.