The Federal Government has conceded proposed new laws to close a bankruptcy loophole allowing convicted criminals to dodge compensation orders won’t help all victims.
The draft legislation has been released this week for public comment.
It follows campaigning by the victims of notorious Bega paedophile Maurice Van Ryan.
The former Bega Cheese boss declared himself bankrupt in 2023 after a court awarded he must pay one of his victim survivors, Edan Van Haren $1.4-million in compo. He has not received a single cent since the judgement and has been calling for changes.
Assistant Treasurer and Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino said the arrangements as they are currently proposed would enable people with live claims to benefit from them.
“The people that wouldn’t be able to are people where bankruptcy arrangements of the preparator have fully resolved,” Mr Mulino said.
“Other than those cases people should be able to benefit,” he said.
The Minister also praised Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain, who has met with many of the victim survivors of Van Ryn and their supporters, for her advocacy on the issue.
“Kristy was a very active and strong advocate for these measures,” he said.
“She was able to bring to me detailed feedback on the experiences of individuals who suffered as the result of these experiences. It was very compelling talking to Kristy.”
Submission on the draft new laws is open until February 20.
