A new design selection process to commence

The National Capital Authority (NCA) ran a national design competition in 2021 to select a suitable design for the Memorial.  

The brief was developed with the National Memorial Advisory Group and feedback from a public consultation process. For more information on the consultation, read the Consultation Summary Report.  

The Hon Peter McClellan AM KC (former Chair of the Royal Commission) was Chair of a jury to select the design. The jury included victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and design industry professionals.  

The selected design, ‘Transparency and Truth’, by architects Jessica Spresser and Peter Besley, subsequently underwent technical assessments that revealed complex construction challenges.  

Following extensive consultations with the NCA and the Advisory Group, the government decided to terminate the original design and to commence a new design selection process.  

The Australian Government remains deeply committed to building a Memorial as soon as possible to recognise the courage and experiences of victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, to provide a place of reflection, contribute to healing, and educate future generations to better protect Australian children.