LABOR TO REVERSE LIBERALS’ RETROSPECTIVE CUTS TO VICTIMS OF CRIME COMPENSATION

Labor Candidate for Lane Cove, Andrew Zbik has welcomed Labor’s plan to will reverse the Liberals’ retrospective cuts to compensation payments for victims of crime – and review the legislation altogether. 

In Government, Labor implemented laws to give victims of violent crime up to $50,000 in compensation. But in 2013, the Liberals introduced new rules to cut the maximum compensation payment to only $15,000.

Mr Zbik said “The Liberals’ cuts to compensation exposed their true priorities – a fixation on the budget bottom line with no compassion for victims of violent crime.”

The new rules were also retrospective, meaning all claims lodged before 2013 were only eligible for a maximum of $15,000 in compensation.

“This retrospective rule has added a financial burden to the immense physical, emotional and psychological burden victims of violent crime already bear.” Explained Mr Zbik.

As a result of these cruel new rules, more than 20,000 victims have had their compensation retrospectively cut – many of whom are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. 

Labor will remove the retrospective nature of the Liberals’ legislation and review the law altogether – and will handle all claims arising up until the introduction of the 2013 legislation under the pre-2013 scheme.

Mr Zbik stated “I’m proud to part of a team that will right a wrong and reverse the Liberals’ cruel retrospective cuts to victims of violent crime.”

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  • Andrew Zbik
    published this page in Updates 2015-03-09 05:19:48 +1100