Media Release

5 September 2005

Compensation For Murderer Shows Labour's Priorities - Mark

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark says the fact that convicted murderer Sam Te Hei has been able to receive compensation while in prison is a shocking indictment on the priorities of the Labour Government.

Mr Mark today joined members of Colleen Burrows’ family along with members of the Sensible Sentencing Trust on the riverbank where the body of Te Hei’s 16 year old victim was found, to protest at the Labour Government’s insistence that compensation be paid to criminals and not victims.

“Margaret Wilson should be deeply ashamed of allowing this payout to occur, which is alleged to be to the tune of $90,000,” said Mr Mark.

“And what is worse is that she refused to help Burrows’ mother, Ida Hawkins, who asked for $602 to travel to Wellington in order to make a submission on the Victims and Prisoners Compensation Bill.

“This is a terribly unjust situation and New Zealand First is committed to working with groups such as Sensible Sentencing to ensure that these payouts become a thing of the past,” said Mr Mark.

ENDS

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