Eligibility
Eligibility extended to individuals who were placed in a detention centre or licensed institution in Queensland covered by the Forde Inquiry (see page 14 of the application guidelines). These applicants must have been released from care, have turned 18 years of age on or before 31 December 1999, and have experienced institutional abuse or neglect.
Dormitories which formed part of a licensed industrial school listed in the terms of reference for the Forde Inquiry were eligible institutions for the purposes of the Redress Scheme. This means that former child residents who experienced abuse in a dormitory on the settlements of Barambah/Cherbourg, Palm Island, Taroom, Woorabinda, Deebing Creek, Purga, Yarrabah and Mapoon were eligible to apply to the Redress Scheme. This includes children placed under either a Children’s Services Act or relevant Aboriginal Protection Act.
The scheme was only available to individuals placed into institutional care in Queensland, and did not extend to those who were placed in foster care (foster care was not within the scope of the Forde Inquiry). These people may be able to access alternative Queensland Government funded support services.
Certain limitations also applied in some circumstances, such as where individuals were removed from institutional care before they turned one year old, unless specific claims could be made regarding abuse or neglect.
Last updated: 01 October 2008.