News
5 February, 2026
Justice for victims seeking access to compensation from child sexual abusers
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain has welcomed the release of draft legislation which is designed to prevent convicted child sexual abusers from hiding their assets in superannuation to avoid paying compensation to their victims.
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain has welcomed the release of draft legislation which is designed to prevent convicted child sexual abusers from hiding their assets in superannuation to avoid paying compensation to their victims.
The draft legislation will enable victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to seek access, via a court order, to additional personal or salary sacrifice superannuation contributions made by the offender, where a related court order for compensation remains unpaid after 12 months.
These reforms will be complemented by amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1966 to allow compensation debts to survive an offenders’ bankruptcy.
The legislation is now open for consultation until 20 February, and will be introduced into parliament as soon as possible.
Ms. McBain said it was a big day for victims, survivors and their supporters who had been advocating for the changes.
“This legislation has been carefully drafted and will soon go before parliament, creating new laws to prevent some of the worst offenders from hiding their assets in superannuation,” she said.
“I want to acknowledge everyone who has been campaigning for this change, particularly Eden Van Haren and his supporters. This is a momentous day, all thanks to your advocacy.
Mr van Haren was 14 in 2010 when a pattern of repeated sexual abuse began at the home of former Bega Cheese boss Maurice Van Ryn, on the far south coast of New South Wales.
Five years later, Van Ryn was jailed for 13 years for abusing nine boys and girls since 2003.
In July 2023, after initially being offered $25,000 by Van Ryn's legal team, the now 29-year-old Mr van Haren was awarded $1.4 million in damages by the NSW Supreme Court.
Van Ryn has since declared bankruptcy, using the legal loophole that extinguishes the victim payment while protecting assets in superannuation, and the Adelaide resident is yet to see a cent of the money.
“Thank you also to the Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and Assistant Treasurer Dan Mulino for their tireless work to get this legislation through," Ms. McBain added.
“I’ll continue to advocate on behalf of our community, so these laws come into effect as soon as possible.”
For more information on the public consultation process, and to make a submission visit: Access to super for victims of child sexual abuse – draft legislation - Consult hub, or https://consult.treasury.gov.au/c2026-737656.
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