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The Queensland Government commissioned the Commission of inquiry into abuse of children in Queensland institutions (Forde Inquiry) to investigate the treatment of children in licensed government and non-government institutions in Queensland. The inquiry found abuse had occurred and made forty-two recommendations relating to contemporary child protection practices, youth justice and redress of past abuse.
In response to the recommendations of the Forde Inquiry the Queensland Government introduced the $100 million Redress Scheme in May 2007. The scheme provided ex-gratia payments, ranging from $7,000 to $40,000, to people who experienced abuse and neglect as children in Queensland institutions. This was made in acknowledgement of the impact of past abuse and neglect and to help people move forward with their lives.
Applications for a payment under the scheme opened 1 October 2007 and closed 30 September 2008. More than 10,200 applications were received by the closing date, with over 7,400 applications assessed as eligible for payment under the scheme.
Two levels of payment were offered through the scheme, with level two payments for those who were assessed by an expert panel as having suffered more serious harm. The scheme was finalised in June 2010.
