New Zealand First is calling for a speedy, fair and reasonable compensation for Hepatitis C and HIV sufferers who were infected by bad blood products.

At New Zealand First’s insistence, the 1996 Coalition Agreement contained an undertaking “to investigate whether adequate compensation had been received,” said the Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“The work was being done but the previous National minority government showed itself to be mean spirited and callous in its uncaring treatment of these people. The new government has not significantly progressed the issue which has become a war of attrition with no winners.

“By international comparisons compensation of no less than $150,000 is immediately required. This is in line with Treasury considerations in 1997/98.

“Whilst Mrs King has stated that her door is open, it would be more appropriate to open the nation’s chequebook and offer a level of compensation that simply won’t disappear into lawyers’ pockets.

“This situation remains obnoxious to all fair-minded New Zealanders and I call on the Prime Minister to direct her Minister to pay generous compensation to the victims of the bad blood scandal," said Mr Peters.

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