Wilson's Law Made Easy

8 September 2000

WILSON'S LAW MADE EASY

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, today released an initiative to facilitate the payment of compensation in line with the ground-breaking precedent set by the Mangaroa prisoners.

"This law, known as "Wilson's Law" allows the State to pay large sums of money to anyone unfortunate enough to have been the victim of an assault", Mr Dunne said today.

"I am quite sure that the uncontested allowance made to these prison inmates was not made on the basis of the existence of a couple of strands of barbed wire and a few watch towers. The fact that these victims were on one side of the prison walls had nothing to do with the principles of justice in this case.

"Hence I have designed a brief form for ALL victims to fill out so they too may receive their state-funded compensatory payment.

"Ms Wilson is also expected to write to each victim, on behalf of the State, apologising for the assault and promising that the Government will try and do better in the future.

.......................................Cut here.........................................

FREEPOST
Hon Margaret Wilson
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON

Dear Ms Wilson,

I was the victim of a vicious assault by .......................
.............................................

In line with your new policy of compensating and formally apologising to people suffering such attacks, I hereby apply for compensation of $100,000 and an apology from the Crown on the same basis as the Mangaroa prisoners.

..................................... (Signed)
......................................(Name)
......................................(Address)
......................................
......................................