ACT spent $1.5 million on legal fees, $693,000 on abuse victim payouts
Over five years, the ACT spent more than $1.5 million defending abuse claims but paid more than $693,000 in victim compensation.
The ACT agency handling abuse victim payouts spent more than twice as much on legal defence as on compensation. Between 2021 and 2026, the authority paid out more than $693,000 in damages and legal costs.
The agency spent more than $1.5 million on lawyer fees and disbursements. In 2025-2026 alone, legal spending hit more than $731,000.
The stark contrast covers claims from abuse survivors at Quamby Youth Detention Centre, which closed in 2008, and Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, which still operates. Independent ACT MLA Thomas Emerson said the figures raised serious questions about priorities and accountability when defending institutions rather than supporting victims.
- $1.5 million by ACTIA over five years
- Legal fees spent
- $693,000 by ACTIA over five years
- Victim compensation paid
- 2021 to 2026
- Period covered
Why it mattersIt shows how legal costs can exceed victim compensation when governments defend institutional abuse cases. This raises questions about whose interests are prioritised.
AustraliaACT residents and abuse survivors in the territory's youth detention system are learning that legal fees to defend the government far exceeded money actually paid to compensate those harmed.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 35 min ago
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