Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has become the first Australian premier to formally apologise to people who suffered sexual abuse in state-run institutions.
Mr McGowan made an emotional video statement via his Twitter account on Wednesday in response to the “landmark” the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse after the WA State Government announced it would sign up to the National Redress Scheme.
Mr McGowan said past institutional abuse was a “burden” the State Government must acknowledge, but not erase from history.
Western Australia announced it had joined the national redress scheme for survivors of institutional child abuse. Source: AAP
“In order to create better future we need to acknowledge the mistakes of the past, the government of Western Australia and other institutions had a duty of care for the children in their protection and we have often failed in that duty,” he said.
“I apologise. To all victims, all survivors.
"You experienced something horrible. Unimaginable. You had your childhood stolen. Your faith and trust in society broken.
"For that, the Government of Western Australia and myself are truly sorry.”
He said WA’s participation in the National Redress Scheme was a step towards righting the wrongs of the past.
“It will provide eligible applicants with a direct personal response from the responsible institutions funds that can be used to access counselling and a monetary payment of up to $150,000,” he said.
Western Australian victims can make an application to the National Redress Scheme from July 1 and apply for Redress or commence a civil action.
The WA Government will also accept 289 recommendations put forward by the commission, with some requiring further consideration.
Mr McGowan's apology comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on June 13 that he would give a formal apology on behalf of the Australian government to victims of child sex abuse as part of the government's response to the royal commission.
Turnbull's apology will take place in Canberra on October 22 and the government is currently accepting submissions from survivors to help come up with the right wording.
