Calls to have superannuation forcibly removed from criminals to compensate victims of crime are ramping up ahead of the election, as advocates point out they have already waited four years for change.
In 2018, then Revenue and Financial Services minister Kelly O’Dwyer said the Coalition would make legislative changes to give victims of serious crimes access to their perpetrators' superannuation for compensation.
But four years on, no changes have been implemented.
"They basically put it on the backburner and hoped that it would go away," long-time victims' advocate Howard Brown said.
"And we want a commitment from the government and the opposition that they will do these things."
Reforms a 'no-brainer'
Ken (whose name has been changed for privacy) speaks for the victims' families of convicted Bega Valley paedophile Maurice Van Ryn.
He is among a growing group of advocates and victim-survivors in Australia calling on all sides of government to commit to enacting change now.
"This change will benefit survivors, decrease the liability on the Australian taxpayer and act as a deterrent," he said.
Mr Brown said the reform, if implemented, would come too late to help the victims of Van Ryn, but would go a long way towards helping other victims of serious crimes.
More consultation coming
In a statement, federal Treasury said it had undertaken initial design work on the proposals outlined in its Review of Superannuation and Victims of Crime Compensation.
"We anticipate undertaking additional consultation prior to finalising a Bill for introduction into the Parliament," the statement said.
"There are difficult issues to be dealt with, including balancing the rights of multiple victims, potentially multiple claims over time, and interactions with family law and bankruptcy law."
The ABC asked Opposition spokesperson for Financial Services and Superannuation Stephen Jones if Labor would implement the changes, should it win the upcoming election.
Mr Jones declined to comment.
Compensation for healing
The cost of therapy can be quite expensive for victim-survivors.
Mr Brown said the financial compensation that could be secured from the superannuation of criminals would go a long way to help victims heal.
"The cost of treatment for victims, especially in sexual assault matters, is particularly expensive," he said.
Ken said the changes would be a simple way to adequately compensate victims for a "lifetime of suffering".
"Survivors everywhere will benefit from this as, not only will they have access to the recompense they deserve, they will also find a way to achieve the independence they deserve."
