www.peterellis.org.nz

9 June 2009

Fair go, Mr Key
Media Release

When our justice system makes mistakes, New Zealanders expect that the victim of injustice will be given a fair go, and be given adequate compensation. Spokesperson for peterellis.org.nz, Brian Robinson, says it is therefore sad that John Key appears more interested in protecting a miserly compensation scheme than making appropriate amends for injustice.

John Key "warns" changing the justice compensation system "could see taxpayers forking out a lot of money" What is John Key really worried about? There have only been a handful of cases in the last thirty years where compensation has been given. He obviously gives credence to Justice Thorp who estimates that there are significant numbers of victims of injustice in our prisons.

Our justice system has just spent far more in an ill advised prosecution of one man than all the compensation that has ever been paid to all victims of injustice in our history.

What is important is that New Zealanders have faith in our justice system. And if John Key really believes that our justice system provides a fair go, why should he be concerned about the relatively small amount of the justice budget that will be required to fairly compensate victims of the system?

To be wrongfully imprisoned for any period of time is a tragedy. Peter Ellis refers to them as "years taken out of your life" That indignity is compounded if the wrongful conviction is for a serious crime such as a sexual offence or murder. In Ellis' words "it is dreadful"

Most New Zealanders will not begrudge, and will expect the government to "fork out a lot of money" in these cases. That's called a fair go.

ENDS

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