On 7 May 2013, the New South Wales Government introduced the
Victims Rights and Support Bill 2013 ("The Victims Support
Scheme") into Parliament. The Victims Support Scheme will
abolish the Victims Compensation Tribunal. Any Application that is
already lodged with the Tribunal but has not yet been determined
will be dealt with under the new Victims Support Scheme.
The maximum compensation now payable to a victim of an act of
violence has been reduced from $50,000 to $15,000. A claim for
compensation is now lodged as a claim for a Recognition Payment.
The proposed changes will apply retrospectively to claims currently
being processed.
This claim must be lodged within two (2) years of the incident,
or two years of a child victim turning 18, with the exception of
claims in relation to domestic violence, child abuse and sexual
assault. The Christian Democrats appear to have successfully
negotiated an extension of the time limit so far as it relates to
child sexual
