Tas applications for claims of abuse in state care

More than 980 applications have been received under the Tasmanian Government’s new process for assessing claims of abuse in state care.

The Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, said the application period for applications closed on 31 July, following a one month extension.

“We felt it was important to extend the deadline for applications to ensure all potential eligible Tasmanians had a chance to be involved in the process,” Ms Giddings said.

Ms Giddings said that while final numbers were still being calculated, more than 770 applications had been received from people living in Tasmania, while just over 200 had come from interstate and overseas. 

“The assessment of applications has already begun, with a dedicated team working its way through a significant amount of documentation.

“Interviews are also underway – applications from the elderly and the seriously ill are being worked through with added urgency.

“While the assessor and his team are working through the process as quickly as possible, it is important the public understands this is a complex process requiring a certain level of patience.

“Tasmania was the first jurisdiction in Australia to establish an ex-gratia payment system for adults abused while in state care.