Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse can now access a perpetrator's superannuation to satisfy unpaid compensation orders, solving the problem of offenders deliberately hiding millions of dollars in superannuation accounts to avoid paying victims. The changes amend the Tax Administration Act 1953 to let victims apply to the Commissioner of Taxation for information about a perpetrator's voluntary superannuation contributions made during a 10-year period before the abuse occurred, then apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court for a court order requiring the Commissioner to release those funds to pay compensation. The amendments also change the Bankruptcy Act so that compensation debts owed to victims survive a perpetrator's bankruptcy, preventing them from escaping their obligations through insolvency.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause