Lawyers for the Australian federal government have raised concerns over property transfers made by the Christian Brothers, after the Catholic order sought a pause on abuse claims while arguing it can no longer afford to compensate survivors. The New South Wales Supreme Court has granted a moratorium on all civil abuse claims against the order, giving survivors time to consider a proposed compensation scheme.
However, attention has turned to a series of property transfers made over the past decade, with records showing land, school buildings and homes were sold to another Catholic entity for just $1 each. Lawyers representing the Commonwealth told the court they were worried the transfers may have reduced the assets available to survivors seeking compensation. The Christian Brothers says it owes around £380 million to current and future abuse claimants while controlling properties valued at roughly £106 million, leaving many survivors concerned about what compensation they may ultimately receive.
