Review should be built in
Allegra Spender supported the bill but argued that a formal independent review was needed to test whether the scheme works, whether safeguards are effective, and whether it should extend to other offences.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law)
Current status
This bill is currently before Parliament.
Policy area
Budget, tax & economy
What does this bill do?
Creates a court-supervised process for victims and survivors of specified child abuse offences to recover unpaid court-ordered compensation from certain superannuation amounts held for the perpetrator.
Why was it introduced?
The bill responds to cases where convicted child sexual abuse perpetrators could keep assets protected in superannuation or use bankruptcy while compensation orders remained unpaid. The government framed the reform as a way to close that loophole, give survivors limited visibility of eligible superannuation, and make court-ordered compensation more enforceable in practice.
Broader context
The reform followed years of survivor and advocate pressure over superannuation and bankruptcy rules that could leave compensation orders practically unenforceable. Treasury consulted on the idea in January 2023, and the 2026 bill adopted the core model: visibility of additional superannuation contributions, a court order before release, limits to specified child abuse offences, and bankruptcy changes. Debate across Labor, the Coalition, independents and the Greens was broadly supportive, but many speakers treated the bill as a foundation rather than the final answer, pointing to possible future work on civil findings, other violent or sexual offences, retrospective reach and legal support for survivors using the scheme.
Key criticism
The bill attracted broad support rather than organised opposition. The main concerns were about what the bill left for later: whether the framework should extend beyond child sexual abuse, whether civil findings should ever qualify, whether retrospective settings go far enough, whether perpetrators could move assets through new structures, and whether survivors will have enough legal assistance to use the scheme.
Who supported it?
Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from Labor, Nationals, LNP, Liberal Party, some crossbench members.
Introduced in House 25 Mar 2026
Passed House 13 May 2026
Passed Senate 14 May 2026
Not yet law —
Did it become law?
Not yet
Final passage
No final vote yet
The bill has not yet completed passage through Parliament.
Days since introduction
77 days
Updated 10 June 2026.
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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Creates a court-supervised process for victims and survivors of specified child abuse offences to recover unpaid court-ordered compensation from certain superannuation amounts held for the perpetrator.
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Lets eligible survivors first ask the Commissioner of TaxationThe head of the Australian Taxation Office. Under this bill, the Commissioner handles information requests and issues release authorities after a court order. for limited information about the perpetrator’s superannuation, so they can decide whether applying for a release order is worth pursuing.
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Applies where the perpetrator has been convicted or found guilty of a specified child abuse offenceThe category of offences covered by the scheme. It includes child sexual abuse offences under the Crimes Act 1914 and some child-related Criminal Code offences in Divisions 270 and 271, with specified exclusions., a compensation order remains unpaid for at least 12 months, and the debt is still legally enforceable.
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Limits what can be released to the lesser of the unpaid compensation and the disclosed eligible contributions, with compulsory employer contributions and several other contribution types excluded.
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Changes bankruptcy law so a relevant compensation debt is not wiped out when the perpetrator is discharged from bankruptcy after the law starts.
Show source excerpts
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A victim of a specified child abuse offence may access the superannuation of the perpetrator in certain circumstances.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) as-passed bill text -
The victim may request the Commissioner to provide certain information about the superannuation interests of the perpetrator.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) as-passed bill text -
The Bill creates a mechanism enabling the release of certain amounts from a perpetrator’s superannuation interests to satisfy compensation orders which have remained unpaid for 12 months or more, where the perpetrator has been convicted or found guilty of certain offences to a criminal standard.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) explanatory memorandum -
The amount specified in the order must not exceed the lesser of the following amounts: (a) the sum of contributions disclosed by the Commissioner under subsection 139‑25(1); (b) the outstanding amount of compensation the perpetrator is required to pay the victim.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) as-passed bill text -
These amendments ensure that outstanding compensation debts owed by the perpetrator to a victim or survivor cannot be extinguished by the perpetrator being discharged from a bankruptcy after commencement.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) explanatory memorandum
Context
Broader context for this bill
The reform followed years of survivor and advocate pressure over superannuation and bankruptcy rules that could leave compensation orders practically unenforceable. Treasury consulted on the idea in January 2023, and the 2026 bill adopted the core model: visibility of additional superannuation contributions, a court order before release, limits to specified child abuse offences, and bankruptcy changes. Debate across Labor, the Coalition, independents and the Greens was broadly supportive, but many speakers treated the bill as a foundation rather than the final answer, pointing to possible future work on civil findings, other violent or sexual offences, retrospective reach and legal support for survivors using the scheme.
- 19 Jan 2023
Treasury consults on access to offenders’ super
Treasury sought views on allowing victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to access additional superannuation contributions and on giving them visibility of those accounts for unpaid compensation orders.
Treasury consultation paper ↗ - 2023-2024 MYEFO
Measure announced in budget update
The explanatory memorandum says the bill partially implements the MYEFO measure on access to offenders’ superannuation for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
Explanatory memorandum ↗ - 25 Mar 2026
Bill introduced with survivors present
The Assistant Treasurer introduced the bill, acknowledged survivors and advocacy groups in the gallery, and described the reform as closing a loophole in superannuation and bankruptcy law.
Minister’s second reading speech ↗ - 12-13 May 2026
House debate shows broad support
Government, Coalition and crossbench speakers supported the bill while noting that survivors had waited years and that the framework may need later review or expansion.
House second reading debate ↗ - 13 May 2026
House passes the bill
The House agreed to the bill at second and third reading on 13 May 2026.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 14 May 2026
Senate passes bill with review motion
The Senate passed the bill and agreed on voices to a second-reading amendmentA motion that adds a statement to the second-reading question. It can record the Senate’s view without changing the bill text itself. noting a government review commitment within three years of commencement.
Senate debate and journal outcome ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 25 Mar 2026
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 25 Mar 2026
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 12 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 13 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House second reading agreed 13 May 2026
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
House third reading agreed 13 May 2026
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Introduced 14 May 2026
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 14 May 2026
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 14 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate second reading agreed 14 May 2026
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Senate third reading agreed 14 May 2026
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Passed both houses 14 May 2026
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The bill attracted broad support rather than organised opposition. The main concerns were about what the bill left for later: whether the framework should extend beyond child sexual abuse, whether civil findings should ever qualify, whether retrospective settings go far enough, whether perpetrators could move assets through new structures, and whether survivors will have enough legal assistance to use the scheme.
Most criticism was framed as a reason for review and future expansion, not as a reason to delay or defeat the bill.
Scope may be too narrow
Coalition and Greens speakers said the law may later need to cover other serious violent, sexual assault, family or domestic violence offences, while still passing the current child sexual abuse framework quickly.
Civil findings and historical cases
Speakers and the Senate review motion identified unresolved questions about civil findings of child sexual abuse and whether the retrospective provisions adequately address historical compensation orders.
Practical support and avoidance risks
Pat Conaghan pointed to concerns from legal and superannuation bodies about demand for legal assistance and the risk that offenders might try new ways to move value outside their own superannuation.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
Amendments at a glance
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
Senate
Carried Record review commitment in the Senate
The Senate agreed on voices to David Shoebridge’s second-reading amendmentA motion that adds a statement to the second-reading question. It can record the Senate’s view without changing the bill text itself. noting the government’s review commitment and preferred review topics. This did not alter the bill text.
Carried
Record review commitment in the Senate
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Daniel Mulino
Daniel Mulino introduced the bill, acknowledged survivors and advocacy groups, and said the reform would stop convicted child sexual abuse perpetrators using superannuation and bankruptcy structures to avoid unpaid compensation orders.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead supporting voice Supports
Mary Aldred
Mary Aldred said the Coalition supported the bill, emphasising that survivors should not face another fight to recover compensation after already going through court.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Supports
Zali Steggall
Zali Steggall supported the bill as targeted enforcement, not a new compensation scheme, and stressed that a court compensation order should have practical value for survivors.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead voice Supports
Renee Coffey
Renee Coffey supported the bill as a survivor-centred response, stressing that compensation is connected to rebuilding lives after abuse rather than being a symbolic court order.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Labor
16 speakers · 18 contributions · 16 support
Labor
16 speakers · 18 contributions · 16 support
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Renee Coffey ★ Renee Coffey supported the bill as a survivor-centred response, stressing that compensation is connected to rebuilding lives after abuse rather than being a symbolic court order.
“A survivor-centred response starts by recognising that the person who was harmed should not be forced to carry that cost alone.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Carol Berry Carol Berry supported the bill as a long-awaited response to unpaid compensation orders, explaining the eligibility criteria, ATOThe head of the Australian Taxation Office. Under this bill, the Commissioner handles information requests and issues release authorities after a court order. information step, court order process and bankruptcy change.
“This bill will amend the Taxation Administration Act 1953 and other relevant Commonwealth acts to create a mechanism that enables the release of certain amounts from a perpetrator's superannuation interests in certain circumstances.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Gabriel Ng Gabriel Ng supported the bill, saying the reform had been discussed for years and should now deliver a practical compensation pathway for survivors.
“I rise in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kara Cook Kara Cook supported the bill and pointed to the January 2023 consultation, saying the government strengthened the design by expanding accessible contributions and the look-back period.
“In January 2023, the government released a discussion paper exploring options to better support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sarah Witty Sarah Witty supported the bill as a survivor-centred reform that makes court-ordered compensation more meaningful and prevents offenders using protected assets to compound survivors’ harm.
“I rise to speak in strong support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Louise Miller-Frost Louise Miller-Frost supported the bill while noting it was not a complete answer, describing its two core reforms as access to eligible additional superannuation contributions and survival of compensation debts through bankruptcy.
“The bill seeks to do two things: to give victims-survivors access to additional contributions in their offender's superannuation in order to satisfy unpaid compensation orders, and to ensure that compensation debts are not extinguished where the offender has declared bankruptcy.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Tracey Roberts Tracey Roberts supported the bill, connecting it to the Royal Commission’s findings and the lifelong financial, health and relationship impacts of child sexual abuse.
“Today I rise in strong support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Julie-Ann Campbell Julie-Ann Campbell supported the bill as a targeted, reviewable reform that preserves the broader superannuation system while preventing it from shielding perpetrators.
“This bill adopts a targeted approach. It focuses specifically on circumstances involving criminal convictions for child sexual abuse offences and unpaid compensation orders.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jo Briskey Jo Briskey supported the bill, focusing on survivors who endured court processes only to be left without compensation and describing the reform as a practical accountability measure.
“Before I speak to the details of this bill, I want to pause to acknowledge the strength, the resilience and the bravery of victims-survivors: those who fought for years through the courts to be heard and who lived the worst moments of their lives in pursuit of something that looked like justice only to be left without the compensation a court told them they were owed;”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Peter Khalil Peter Khalil supported the bill while placing it within wider survivor redress and institutional accountability work, arguing that compensation is one part of recognising past failures.
“This parliament, I think, is doing a good thing in reaffirming our responsibility to ensure that those voices are heard, that the injustices that they experienced at some level are addressed with some measure of justice and that the failures that have occurred in the past are never repeated.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Carina Garland Carina Garland supported the bill, emphasising the bankruptcy amendments and the message that survivors should not be left without recourse after a court order.
“This bill also introduces important amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1966.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Trish Cook Trish Cook supported the bill, focusing on how abuse can affect workforce participation and financial security and why compensation should be enforceable in practice.
“I rise today to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kristy McBain Kristy McBain supported the bill as an accountability reform, speaking about the pain in her community and the principle that perpetrators should not hide behind financial structures.
“This legislation follows a fundamental principle that perpetrators of child sexual abuse should not be able to hide from accountability.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Daniel Mulino ★ 2 contributions Daniel Mulino introduced the bill, acknowledged survivors and advocacy groups, and said the reform would stop convicted child sexual abuse perpetrators using superannuation and bankruptcy structures to avoid unpaid compensation orders.
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Daniel Mulino on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Daniel Mulino introduced the bill, acknowledged survivors and advocacy groups, and said the reform would stop convicted child sexual abuse perpetrators using superannuation and bankruptcy structures to avoid unpaid compensation orders.
“This bill will enable victims and survivors of child sexual abuse offences to seek access to a perpetrator's superannuation to satisfy unpaid compensation orders, where a criminal conviction has been made.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
Daniel Mulino closed House debate by thanking members for constructive engagement, explaining the framework, and noting the importance of review once the scheme is operating.
“This bill establishes a framework for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and other similar offences to seek visibility and release of certain amounts from a perpetrator's superannuation to satisfy unpaid compensation orders.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗ -
Nita Green 2 contributions Nita Green introduced the bill in the Senate on behalf of the government, repeating the case for closing the superannuation and bankruptcy loophole and acknowledging survivor advocacy.
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Nita Green on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Nita Green introduced the bill in the Senate on behalf of the government, repeating the case for closing the superannuation and bankruptcy loophole and acknowledging survivor advocacy.
“This bill aims to prevent superannuation being used to shield a perpetrator's assets from compensation, improve transparency and reduce uncertainty in pursuing compensation.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
Nita Green said the government supported David Shoebridge’s review amendment and wanted the bill passed quickly because survivors had waited long enough.
“I won't speak for long—I think survivors have waited long enough—but I do want to indicate that the government supports the amendment moved by Senator Shoebridge.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗ -
Tanya Plibersek Tanya Plibersek supported the bill and highlighted its 12-month unpaid-compensation threshold, court-order pathway and government commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
“Where a court ordered compensation debt remains unpaid after 12 months, victims-survivors will be able to seek access through a court order to certain superannuation contributions that have been made by the perpetrator of the abuse.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Coalition
7 speakers · 7 support
Coalition
7 speakers · 7 support
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Mary Aldred ★ Mary Aldred said the Coalition supported the bill, emphasising that survivors should not face another fight to recover compensation after already going through court.
“The coalition supports this bill.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Andrew Wallace Andrew Wallace supported the bill, linked it to years of policy work and survivor advocacy, and argued that compensation orders should not be defeated by superannuation protections or bankruptcy.
“The coalition supports these changes. We believe they are measured, we believe they are proportionate, and, above all, we believe they are just.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Michael McCormack Michael McCormack said the Coalition would support the bill and urged swift passage, while noting that future work could consider other serious violent crimes, civil findings and broader retrospective issues.
“The coalition's position is clear: we support survivors, and we will support this bill.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alison Penfold Alison Penfold supported the bill, highlighting advocacy by Carolyn Kelly and Edan Van Haren’s family and arguing that victims should not be left waiting for court-ordered compensation.
“This issue was brought directly to me by one of my constituents, Carolyn Kelly, a strong, determined and deeply compassionate woman who refused to stay silent after seeing the injustice her grandson, Edan Van Haren, experienced.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Pat Conaghan Pat Conaghan supported swift passage while raising practical issues about legal assistance for survivors and possible future avoidance tactics involving third-party superannuation contributions.
“This legislation is critical. This legislation is just and considered, and this legislation must be passed immediately.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Llew O'Brien Llew O’Brien supported the bill, saying no single bill would cover every circumstance but that compensation orders should not remain symbolic when offenders have protected assets.
“Of course, no single bill will capture every circumstance.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Susan McDonald Susan McDonald said the Coalition supported the bill and survivors, urged swift passage, and noted future review could consider civil findings, serious violent crimes and broader retrospective application.
“The coalition are supporting the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026 and we support survivors.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Greens
1 speaker · 1 support
Greens
1 speaker · 1 support
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David Shoebridge David Shoebridge supported the bill and moved a second-reading amendmentA motion that adds a statement to the second-reading question. It can record the Senate’s view without changing the bill text itself. calling for a detailed review of survivor outcomes, historical offences, civil findings, broader offence categories and avoidance risks.
“I rise on behalf of the Greens to support the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 support
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 support
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Zali Steggall ★ Zali Steggall supported the bill as targeted enforcement, not a new compensation scheme, and stressed that a court compensation order should have practical value for survivors.
“This bill is built on a simple proposition: a compensation order made by a court should mean something.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Allegra Spender Allegra Spender supported the bill and moved for a statutory independent review to test whether the scheme works, whether safeguards are effective and whether it should extend beyond child sexual abuse offences.
“I've expressed my support for the bill and will vote for it.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Status
- Passed Both Houses -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- Portfolio
- Treasury
- Introduced
- 25 Mar 2026
- Passed both houses
- 14 May 2026
- Royal Assent
- Not recorded in collected sources
- 25 Mar 2026
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 25 Mar 2026
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 12 May 2026
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 13 May 2026
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 13 May 2026
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 13 May 2026
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 14 May 2026
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 14 May 2026
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 14 May 2026
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 14 May 2026
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 14 May 2026
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 14 May 2026
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.