VICTIMS of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy will be able to sue local parishes where the crimes occurred, under changes proposed by the NSW Greens.
NSW upper house MP David Shoebridge confirmed he will move to amend the Roman Catholic Church Trust Property Act so it ceases to function as a barrier between victims of abuse and billions of dollars' worth of church-owned property.
"The intent is to ensure that victims have recourse to compensation where they suffered abuse at the hands of a member of the clergy," Mr Shoebridge said.
The MP said his motion would overcome a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that abuse victim John Ellis had nobody to sue because Aidan Duggan, the priest who abused him in the 1970s, had died.
The court found the trustees in each diocese who managed church property were not liable for the behaviour of priests and teachers in Catholic schools.
Cardinal George Pell said Mr Shoebridge's proposal was "unnecessary and sounds like a publicity stunt".
"The Catholic Church acknowledges its moral responsibility to ensure victims of sexual abuse are treated justly, and takes this responsibility seriously.
"Individuals and church bodies who are responsible for abuse can and have been sued . . . the church meets any damages awarded against it," he said.