Advisory Group for a six-month term. Two co-chairs have been appointed tasked with designing the new scheme.211 189. In the meantime, the Government is working on improving support for survivors while the new independent redress system is being designed, including: (a) Rapid payments for claimants run by existing agencies, such as the Ministry of Social Development. Survivors who are seriously ill, aged over 70 or have waited the longest to get claim considered are prioritised. (b) A listening service that provides survivors with the opportunity to share their experiences between the Royal Commission’s conclusion of private hearing sessions and the establishment of the new redress system. (c) Easier access to survivor’s records. 190. On 4 May 2023, it was reported that MSD was “fast-tracking full and final settlements with victims of state abuse, despite a recommendation by the Royal Commission that any compensation payments should be interim until a new redress scheme is established”.212 The Prime Minister noted at the time the scheme was announced in December 2022 that the intention of the scheme was that “survivors who had resolved their claims will still be able to seek additional redress under the new system, although any payment already received would be taken into account in any acknowledgement payment made by the new system”.213 191. The Commission remains concerned that, despite the Committee’s 2015 recommendation to the Government, survivors of torture and ill-treatment in state care are yet to receive adequate redress, including medical and psychological assistance, full compensation and the means for rehabilitation. 192. The Committee may wish to: (a) Make inquiries to the Government as to: i. Steps taken to ensure adequate redress, including compensation and apologies, is provided to individual survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care institutions; and ii. Recognition, respect and support for Māori rangatiratanga (sovereign authority) and self-determination to design and implement the redress scheme in accordance with tikanga Māori. (b) Recommend that the Government ensures that its establishment and implementation of a new redress mechanism fully addresses the systemic issues identified and recommendations made by the Royal Commission. 211 See https://www.abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz/a-matou-mahi-ourwork/#:~:text=The%20Redress%20Design%20Group%20follows,survivors%20of%20abuse%20in%20care .. 212 Newsroom “MSD offers abuse victims ‘full and final’ settlement, despite Royal Commission report (May 4, 2023) available at https://www.newsroom.co.nz/msd-offers-abuse-victims-full-and-final-settlement-despite-royal-commissionreport 213 See above. 44