4 RESPONSES TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES
4.1 Response to the Australian Financial Review dated 26 June 2026
The proposed scheme of arrangement is entirely in the hands of our creditors who will be invited to vote on the scheme. If the creditors do not wish for there to be a moratorium on claims and do not support the scheme, then the Province entities will enter liquidation.
We refer to the materials made public on 22 June 2026 and confirm that our Catholic stakeholders have been aware of our financial difficulty for several months and have received our requests for assistance. We confirm that as of 26 June 2026 no funding from Catholic bodies, including ACBC and EREA, in response to our requests has been forthcoming.
The establishment of EREA in 2007 was in compliance with our canonical processes and with the support of the Bishops of the dioceses in which schools were transferred. The Holy See decreed EREA as a public juridic person. Our current advisors in respect of the scheme of arrangement were not involved in the establishment of EREA or the transfers of property by the Province to EREA.
Under a scheme of arrangement or liquidation, there will be scrutiny of the property transfers to EREA, and the parties involved in those transactions.
As stated publicly on 22 June 2026, neither the moratorium nor the proposed scheme of arrangement, or indeed liquidation if that scenario eventuates, is in any way intended to prevent any future civil claim being brought by claimants against EREA and other Catholic institutions (or any other potential defendants).
Under the proposed scheme of arrangement all properties owned by the Province entities – including Treacy Centre – are to be sold and the proceeds distributed in accordance with the terms of the proposed scheme. As announced by the Province on 22 June 2026, either through the conclusion of a creditor and Court approved Scheme, or through liquidation, the Province’s entities - and the Province – will inevitably come to an end.
4.2 Response to The Guardian Australia dated 26 June 2026
The proposed scheme of arrangement is entirely in the hands of our creditors who will be invited to vote on the scheme. If the creditors do not wish for there to be a moratorium on claims and do not support the scheme, then the Province entities will enter liquidation.
We refer to the materials made public on 22 June 2026 and confirm that our Catholic stakeholders have been aware of our financial difficulty for several months and have received our requests for assistance. We confirm that as of 26 June 2026 no funding from Catholic bodies, including ACBC and EREA, in response to our requests has been forthcoming.
The establishment of EREA in 2007 was in compliance with our canonical processes and with the support of the Bishops of the dioceses in which schools were transferred. The Holy See decreed EREA as a public juridic person. Our current advisors in respect of the scheme of arrangement were not involved in the establishment of EREA or the transfers of property by the Province to EREA.
Under a scheme of arrangement or liquidation, there will be scrutiny of the property transfers to EREA, and the parties involved in those transactions.
As stated publicly on 22 June 2026, neither the moratorium nor the proposed scheme of arrangement, or indeed liquidation if that scenario eventuates, is in any way intended to prevent any future civil claim being brought by claimants against EREA and other Catholic institutions (or any other potential defendants).
Under the proposed scheme of arrangement all properties owned by the Province entities – including Treacy Centre – are to be sold and the proceeds distributed in accordance with the terms of the proposed scheme. As announced by the Province on 22 June 2026, either through the conclusion of a creditor and Court approved Scheme, or through liquidation, the Province’s entities - and the Province – will inevitably come to an end.
The Province’s assets, which are all owned by the Province Entities, principally comprise a portfolio of approximately 36 properties located around Australia with an estimated total value of approximately $216 million.
The Province has been responding to those who have experienced abuse in our facilities for more than four decades. Between 1980 and 2025, the Province has made total payments – including compensation and claimants’ legal costs – in excess of $480 million.
The Province Leadership and our professional advisors have commenced engagement with many of our key stakeholders to brief them on our circumstances and seeking feedback on a proposed Scheme. If the creditors do not support the proposed Scheme, the Province will not take steps to advance it.
If there is engagement and feedback on the proposed Scheme, it will shape the final form and details of the Scheme to be presented to creditors for the purposes of creditors voting on the Scheme.
4.3 Response to The Age dated 29 June 2026
Neither the proposed moratorium nor the proposed scheme of arrangement is intended to prevent any future civil claim being brought against Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) and or other Catholic institutions by victims and survivors of abuse.
The Province has requested financial support from EREA, and the broader Catholic Church, however no such support has been provided.
The establishment of EREA in 2007 recognised the ageing Congregation and was in compliance with our canonical processes and with the support of the Bishops of the dioceses in which schools were transferred. The Holy See decreed EREA as a public juridic person.
Under a scheme of arrangement or liquidation, there will be scrutiny of the property transfers to EREA, and the parties involved in those transactions.
EREA is an independent entity with its own board and governance and owns the properties on which schools are located. These are not owned by the Province or the Province Entities, and those properties are not part of the proposed Scheme.