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The coalition Government has appointed Paul Davison KC as an independent arbiter to determine financial redress for survivors who were tortured at the infamous Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit.
In December, Cabinet set aside up to $22.68 million for redress for torture which consists of three components; a one-off payment which recognises an individual’s experience of torture as a child; a new written apology which explicitly acknowledges torture; and facilitating access to support and rehabilitative services.
Eligible survivors can choose either an expedited payment of $150,000 or an individual payment process where each claim is independently assessed by an independent arbiter who will determine payment amounts.
Davison is a retired judge of the High Court who also sat as a member of a Divisional Court of Appeal.
He retired from the High Court in August, 2023, and has since resumed legal practice as a mediator and providing litigation and consultancy advice.
In 1983, Davison was the Counsel Assisting the Committee of Inquiry into Oakley Hospital that investigated the death of a patient following the administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
The chair of the Committee of Inquiry was Sir Rodney Gallen, who was later appointed to oversee the distribution of $6.5m to survivors of Lake Alice in what is known as the first-round settlement.
“We wanted to ensure people have choice when going through this process,” the Government’s Lead Coordination Minister, Erica Stanford, says.
“The individualised option allows survivors to opt for a payment that considers their personal experiences of torture at the Lake Alice Unit.
“Guided by terms of reference, Hon Davison KC will independently assess the claims of those who choose this pathway.
“I would like to thank him for his willingness to undertake this important role.”
So far 77 survivors of the Lake Alice Unit have been confirmed as eligible to make their claim for redress.
Survivors will have until April 30 to choose the individual payment process and until September 30 for the expedited pathway.
Payments for the expeditated process will begin in March and both processes will be complete by the end of 2025.
All eligible survivors can access free independent legal advice to support them during the process.
