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.
4.4 Response to Rampart News dated 29 June 2026
The moratorium application was adjourned until Thursday 2nd July.
If the application is approved, the Province Entities will proceed to seeking creditor and Court approval of a scheme of arrangement.
Details of the scheme will be the subject of further consultation with key stakeholders and will be provided to all eligible creditors and their legal representatives in due course prior to a creditor vote.
If the application for a moratorium is not granted, then the Province Entities will enter liquidation.
The proposed moratorium, the proposed scheme of arrangement and the liquidation scenario are not 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.
4.5 Response to The Guardian Australia dated 30 June 2026
As provided to the Guardian Australia on 26 June, under a scheme of arrangement or liquidation, there will be scrutiny of the property transfers to Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), and the parties involved in those transactions.
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).
To reiterate, the moratorium and proposed scheme of arrangement are not intended to in any way act as an impediment to claimants wanting to bring actions against EREA.
Seeking a moratorium on all civil proceedings ensures that all claimants under the proposed creditors scheme of arrangement will be treated equally, assuming the moratorium is granted and creditors and Court approve the scheme.
If the moratorium is not granted, the Province Entities will enter liquidation.
We acknowledge the decision to publicly announce the difficult financial position of the Province’s entities, our decision to seek a scheme of arrangement and also a moratorium on civil proceedings, may have been unexpected, however it was important that all eligible creditors were made aware of the financial position.
4.6 Response to Stuff Digital dated 2 July 2026
This matter is currently before the Court, and it is not appropriate to comment whilst those proceedings continue.
4.7 Response to The Press Te Matatika dated 2 July 2026
This matter is currently before the Court, and it is not appropriate to comment whilst those proceedings continue.
4.8 Response to The Guardian Australia dated 2 July 2026
We refer to your online article titled https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/02/christian-brothers-catholic-asset-transfers-abuse-survivors-ntwnfb and which contains a factual error highlighted below. The quote relied upon below was not provided to your publication by the Trustees of the Christian Brothers. We would appreciate this being corrected as soon as possible.
“A Christian Brothers spokesperson previously told the Guardian the property was transferred as part of a slow, progressive process of turning over Christian Brothers school land and property to EREA, which was delayed by what the spokesperson describes as the “complexity of transferring individual titles across multiple jurisdictions”.
In respect of your follow up questions, we provide the following responses.
As given in evidence in the NSW Supreme Court today, the legal representatives of the Christian Brothers have written to Edmund Rice Education Australia seeking “whether EREA considers itself to be a proper defendant to any claims”.
We reiterate again that neither the moratorium now approved by the NSW Supreme Court, nor the proposed creditors scheme of arrangement, are intended to in any way act as an impediment to claimants wanting to bring actions against EREA. We ask you to make this clear in your reporting.
In regards the establishment of EREA and the transfer of assets to that entity, again as given in evidence in the NSW Supreme Court today, it is intended that the Scheme Administrators would examine the dealings and transactions between the Scheme Entities and EREA in detail, including in particular property transfers, based on the full records of the Scheme Entities.
The Trustees of the Christian Brothers have, and continue, to express their enduring regret and sorrow at the harm caused as a result of the abuse committed by members of our congregation.
We have sought financial assistance from EREA and other Catholic institutions to continue to respond to those who have been harmed.
Seeking confirmation from EREA that it is a proper defendant to any claims, underlines our commitment to continue to respond with compensation to victims and survivors, as we have done for more than four decades.
We acknowledge the decision to publicly announce the difficult financial position of the Province’s entities, our decision to seek a scheme of arrangement and also a moratorium on civil proceedings, may have been unexpected, however it was important that all eligible creditors were made aware of the financial position.
4.9 Response to SBS World News dated 3 July 2026
A moratorium provides the opportunity to stabilise the financial position of the Province entities to enable engagement with legal representatives of victims and survivors on the development of a creditors' scheme of arrangement. At the hearing on 2 July 2026, the moratorium was not opposed by any of the interested parties appearing and the terms of the mortarium include exceptions to protect the interests of claimants and creditors.
Under the Corporations Act, a creditors’ scheme allows the orderly distribution of the remaining assets and funds of the Province entities to eligible creditors including victims and survivors of abuse. If the Scheme is approved by creditors and the Court, it is intended that the Scheme Administrators would examine the dealings and transactions between the Scheme Entities and EREA in detail, including in particular property transfers, based on the full records of the Scheme Entities.
Neither the moratorium now approved by the Supreme Court of New South Wales, nor the proposed creditors scheme of arrangement, are intended to in any way act as an impediment to claimants wanting to bring actions against EREA.
Further, legal representatives of the Christian Brothers have written to Edmund Rice Education Australia seeking confirmation of “whether EREA considers itself to be a proper defendant to any claims”.
We have also been seeking financial assistance from EREA to meet current and future liabilities related to civil proceedings. No support has been provided to date.
We acknowledge the decision to publicly announce the difficult financial position of the Province’s entities, our decision to seek a scheme of arrangement and also a moratorium on civil proceedings, may have been unexpected, however it was important that all eligible creditors were made aware of the financial position.
The decision to seek a scheme of arrangement will provide the best basis for the timely and equitable distribution of the remaining funds and assets to eligible creditors.
The Trustees of the Christian Brothers have, and continue, to express their enduring regret and sorrow at the harm caused as a result of the abuse committed by members of our congregation.
4.10 Response to The Guardian Australia dated 9July 2026
Statement from the Trustees of the Christian Brothers
In response to your enquiry, we refer you to paragraphs 105 and 106 of the affidavit of Brother Brady dated 23 June 2026.
Robert Best has not been a member of the Congregation since 2018.
Ends.
4.11 Response to ABC 7.30 dated 14 July 2026
Thank you for your enquiry which should be directed to Edmund Rice Education Australia and their website is https://www.erea.edu.au/