Govt to assist with travel to Bali commemorations

New Zealanders directly involved in last year’s Bali bombings will receive government assistance to travel to either Bali or Wellington for commemoration services, Acting Foreign Minister Marian Hobbs announced today.

"People eligible are those who were either at Paddy’s Bar or The Sari Club at the time of the bombings, or were personally involved in the immediate aftermath at the scene and who were injured or are suffering as a consequence," Marian Hobbs said.

"ACC and Victim Support are currently contacting victims' family members and others who were in the vicinity or injured by the blasts and directly involved in the Bali bombings."

Anyone directly involved in the Bali bombings and uncertain whether they qualify for this assistance should contact Victim Support National Office (04 474 8862) in the first instance.

Their travel arrangements will then be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (04 439 8000), which is organising a travel package deal covering airfares, three nights accommodation, airport transfers, and escorted travel to the October 12 Bali commemoration service.

Confirmation of attendance in Bali is required no later than 5pm next Monday September 22 for those interested in the government travel package.

"People considering travelling to Bali for the commemorations should be aware the government currently advises against all but essential travel to Bali. We urge them to read the Ministry’s Indonesia travel advice before making their decision whether to go," Marian Hobbs said. (http://www.mfat.govt.nz/travel/countries/indonesia.html).

The government is also arranging a national commemoration service in Wellington on 12 October and will assist those who were directly involved in the bombings with travel arrangements to get there if they want to attend.

For people electing to travel independently to Bali or Wellington, the government will consider limited financial assistance.

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