The Victorian parliament has passed the Vicarious Liability Bill, enabling legal action against the Catholic Church for the actions of its priests, reversing a previous High Court ruling. This significant legislative change has been hailed by victim-survivors of clergy abuse, who gathered outside the parliament to celebrate this pivotal moment. Lawyer Judy Courtin emphasized that the new law redefines the status of priests and certain church members as 'akin' to employees, thus holding the Church accountable for their actions.

With this legal development, thousands of victim-survivors now have the potential to seek justice in the courts, a possibility previously barred under the earlier ruling. The decision reflects a growing acknowledgment of the need for institutional accountability in cases of child abuse within religious organizations. It also brings a sense of hope to those who have suffered abuse and have been advocating for legislative change.

The Vicarious Liability Bill being passed unopposed highlights a collective recognition of the serious implications of clergy abuse on victims and society at large. As lawyers like Judy Courtin rally for justice on behalf of survivors, this success marks a critical point in the ongoing struggle to hold powerful institutions accountable for their role in enabling abuse. The implications of this law may set precedents for other jurisdictions considering similar legal frameworks.