Churches will be held vicariously liable for abuse committed by their priests under new Victorian laws to be introduced to the state’s Parliament by the end of the year. Source: ABC News.
The retrospective legislation seeks to overcome a 2024 High Court ruling that the Ballarat Diocese could not be held liable for the abuse of notorious paedophile priest Bryan Coffey because he was not a Church employee.
The landmark decision threw dozens of compensation cases brought by victim-survivors against institutions into doubt, with lawyers and advocates saying it added to their trauma.
Attorneys-general across Australia have since discussed the changes and victim-survivors have led a major campaign for states to fix the law, with private members bills introduced by the Legalise Cannabis Party in Victoria and NSW Parliaments.
There has been a groundswell of support from Labor MPs in Victoria with dozens signing a letter backing retrospective laws and demanding action from cabinet.
Senior ministers also met with victim-survivors and lawyers in Victoria in recent months.
Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny yesterday told her party’s weekly caucus meeting that Victoria would introduce retrospective laws to parliament by the end of 2025.
Ms Kilkenny said she had instructed her department to begin drafting legislation.
Other states have vicarious liability laws but they were not retrospective.
Critics warn the laws could have unintended consequences, especially for community sporting clubs and youth groups where people holding volunteer roles may have perpetrated abuse.
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