Presumption of Employment for Religious Practitioners in Child Sexual Abuse Claims
Civil Liability Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse Actions) Bill 2025
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Religious practitioners are presumed to be employees of their religious institution for child sexual abuse claims
Religious institutions can rebut this presumption if they prove they provided no pay or benefits beyond expense reimbursements
The employment presumption applies to abuse regardless of when it happened
Courts can let victims restart child sexual abuse cases that were finalised between 13 November 2024 and the bill's start date
Courts can set aside previous judgments or settlement agreements to allow these new actions
Settlement agreements are void if a court allows a previously finalised child sexual abuse action to be restarted
Parties cannot recover money already paid under a voided settlement agreement
Topics
child sexual abuse employment relationship legal liability religious institutions settlement agreements