Thursday, 20 March 2025

 Ella GEORGE (Lara) (14:58): (1067) My question is to the Minister for Children, and it is regarding the Victorian government’s redress scheme for care leavers. How is the processing of applications to the redress scheme going, and are there any timelines for when payments will commence? The Victorian government’s commitment to establish a redress scheme for people who experienced abuse and neglect as children in institutional care is a very important acknowledgement for those Victorians who experienced physical, psychological or emotional abuse and neglect in orphanages, children’s homes and missions before 1990. This redress is an important step for many constituents in my electorate who continue to grapple with the pain and trauma they endured while in institutional care during that time. Can I also take this opportunity to acknowledge Leonie Sheedy, the CEO of the Care Leavers Australasia Network and a fierce advocate for the rights of care leavers. Leonie has supported countless care leavers right across the state to make applications to both the national and now the state redress schemes, and I commend her for her tireless work in our community.