The announcement concerns a planned legal safeguard. The regulations are still to be drafted, so the change is not yet in force.
A successor could remain responsible for compensation
The government says the planned regulations would apply to the Christian Brothers and designate a relevant successor organisation as liable if the Christian Brothers ceases to exist. The stated purpose is to prevent survivors losing a pathway to compensation solely because the original organisation is no longer operating.
The announcement refers to Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia as the organisation from which survivors could seek compensation in that circumstance. This article reports the government's stated plan; it does not make findings about liability in any individual claim.
Continuity can determine whether justice is practical
A legal right has limited value if the organisation responsible for meeting it disappears or no longer holds the relevant assets. Clear successor rules can help preserve access to redress while keeping individual claims subject to the evidence and applicable law.
The government also says Western Australia has intervened as an interested party in related Supreme Court of New South Wales proceedings. Those proceedings and the proposed regulations are separate processes, and their outcomes should not be assumed.
Protect survivors
People with genuine claims should not lose access to redress because an organisation changes or ceases to exist.
Examine evidence
Every individual claim should still be assessed independently under the evidence and applicable law.
Preserve safeguards
Clear rules, fair hearings and reviewable decisions protect both access to justice and confidence in outcomes.
Protection and fair process belong together
Justice Before Judgment supports practical safeguards that protect genuine victims and children, preserve access to compensation and prevent organisational changes from defeating lawful claims. Those safeguards should operate alongside independent examination of evidence, fair-hearing protections and decisions that remain reviewable under law.
The Western Australian Government does not endorse this campaign. This article clearly separates the official proposal from independent campaign commentary.
Fairness needs a public voice.
Read the campaign explainer, then add your support if you agree that justice should protect people, examine evidence independently and preserve fair process.
Source note: This update summarises an official government announcement and adds clearly labelled campaign commentary. It is general public information, not legal advice.