SIMON Corbell says victims of crime will have greater and easier access to financial assistance following legislation introduced today.

The new scheme will provide for four main types of payments:

• Immediate need payments including for relocation and emergency medical costs;
• economic loss payments including for loss of actual earnings and medical expenses;
• recognition payments in recognition of the harmful effects of acts of violence; and
• funeral expense payments.

“The Victims of Crime Commissioner will decide applications under the new scheme and help applicants progress their application using holistic case management processes,” Simon said.

“Immediate needs payments will be introduced for the first time under this Bill to ensure victims of crime receive timely support. The ability to pay service providers directly will also improve processes by removing the need for victims of crime to find the money to pay providers upfront.

“The planned payments are the result of extensive consultation, responding to concerns about the number of people who were missing out on the scheme. This included numerous victims of domestic violence, witnesses of violent crimes and victims who suffer extremely serious but not necessarily permanent injuries.

“The new scheme provides five levels of recognition payments based on the type of offence that injured the victim. Amounts range from $20,000 for dependents of a homicide victim to $1000 for less serious offences such as common assault.

“The new amounts for recognition payments are significantly higher than similar payments in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, where the maximum amounts available are $15,000 or $10,000, compared with $20,000 in the ACT.

“More victims of domestic violence will be able to access support under the new scheme, for example victims of property crime in a domestic violence context or breaches of a protection order will be able to apply for up to $10,000 for payments including the cost of safety measures for personal security or relocation costs.

“These victims are currently not eligible for any payments under the current scheme.

“Victims of sexual assault will retain eligibility for expenses, loss of wages and lump sum recognition payments based on the type of offence the injury was caused by and any aggravating factors.

“While under the new scheme the maximum amount payable as a recognition payment will be reduced, this assistance will be available to a wider number of victims.

“The current maximum total payment of $50,000 for any one applicant will be retained under the new scheme.

“The Bill is expected to be debated in the Legislative Assembly in the coming months to commence in mid-2016.”