The Prime Minister has warned institutions which do not sign up to the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sex Abuse will be named and shamed.
In a letter sent to more than 25 institutions Scott Morrison and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston urged them to express their intent to join the scheme before the approaching deadline.
"We consider it reprehensible that you have failed to sign up to the scheme and we urge you to provide a clear written statement by 30 June 2020," the letter said.
"Institutions that do not provide a clear statement of intent … will be publicly identifie
Speaking on Sydney's 2GB radio station, Mr Morrison said the Government was considering penalising those who did not sign up.
"Be aware, failure to sign-up to this program means I will ensure there will be no further public funding they'll be eligible for going forward," he said.
"I'm certainly prepared to do that and even prepared to consider their charitable status.
"Anne Ruston and I are not kidding. We expect people to sign up, and if you don't want to sign up, then I won't be signing any cheques."
Under the scheme, eligible survivors of institutional child sexual abuse are able to seek a range of redress options including monetary payments of up to $150,000, access to counselling services and a direct personal response — such as an apology — from the institutions responsible.
The Government had previously flagged it was prepared to take a "big stick" approach to institutions that did not sign up, including by revoking their charity status.
While the Federal Government has not begun to name institutions which have not put their hand up to join yet, the National Redress Scheme maintains a list of those which were named in the royal commission and have not yet joined the scheme.
In their letter, Mr Morrison and Senator Ruston said the institutions that were not joining the scheme were "doubling down on the crime and doubling down on the hurt" caused by previous abuse.
"We urge you to join the scheme not because of concerns about being identified, but because it is the right thing to do," the pair said.
"It is the right thing to do by survivors and their families and it is what every decent, honest Australian demands."
The Victorian Government has issued a similar threat, saying it will deny funding to organisations that fail to sign up.
