Abuse survivor “mortified” that WA is appealing his compensation payout for sexual abuse

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Abuse survivor Dion Barber says he's "mortified" the state of WA is appealing against a court judgement that awarded him a record compensation payout after suffering repeated sexual abuse while in state care. The Premier Roger Cook says the government will make up the payment if the appeal is successful, but the Opposition says the decision to appeal is "unacceptable".

Transcript

00:00Trying to get on the front foot.

00:05Before we go into today's announcement I'd just like to make a couple of comments.

00:09First of all in relation to the Dionne Barber case.

00:12The government in damage control after it was revealed the state of WA is appealing

00:18a record payout to a man abused in state care.

00:22Regardless of the outcome of the appeal he will receive his full payment

00:25but we do need to clarify several matters of law which will now be heard by the courts.

00:31Dionne Barber was last month awarded almost $2.8 million by a district court judge

00:37for the abuse he suffered as a child during the 1980s and 90s

00:42in what lawyers describe as the biggest damages award to a survivor of sexual abuse in the state.

00:48But documents show the state is appealing the amount Mr Barber was awarded.

00:53Absolutely mortified gutted actually.

00:56I feel like I've just been kicking the guts once again.

00:59But every day is a struggle.

01:01Even hearing things on the radios it brings great memories especially the PTSD.

01:06The Premier has confirmed Mr Barber would still get his payment

01:10while trying to set the record straight about the appeal.

01:13We're informed and please understand that this is actually a legal action

01:19which is brought on by insurers instructing solicitors not by government instructing solicitors.

01:26But Perth lawyer John Hammond who is not involved in the case says the state is still haggling over what he believed was fair compensation.

01:35It's all about the amount and I can only assume the state wants to limit how much survivors of sexual assault are paid.

01:45To me that's wrong as well.

01:47We heard Mr Barber on the radio today.

01:49The absolute pain and anguish that he has been subjected to is simply unacceptable.

01:54And again it turns the spotlight on this state government.

01:58What motivates them?

01:59What sort of a government are they?

02:01The Premier said the appeal was brought by the WA Insurance Commission or the insurance arm of government.

02:08In a statement it says it does not comment on individual cases nor those that are subject to current legal proceedings.

02:17The issue is also brought in the same place and the Senate is divided by the UNSIN.

02:22It seems to be aoric opposition.

02:24But the system is the number of the people who are not very conscious of questioning the information.

02:28In an example the case may not be shown here.

02:30The UNSIN and the UNSIN.

02:31The UNSIN.

02:33The UNSIN.

02:34The UNSIN.

02:35The UNSIN.

02:36The UNSIN.

02:37The UNSIN.

02:38The UNSIN.

02:40The UNSIN.

02:42The UNSIN.

02:43The UNSIN.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended