12 Nov 2024

Abuse in Care govt apology 'tone deaf' - Cooper Legal

From Checkpoint, 5:42 pm on 12 November 2024

In parliament, the Prime Minister formally apologised for abuse in state care, churches and other faith based places, saying it should never have happened. He said he was sorry the state did not act quickly and boldly enough to better protect people, sorry that survivors were not believed and sorry people turned a blind eye their abuse and torture. Christopher Luxon also used his speech to announce $32 million of funding to improve the current compensation scheme - while a whole new approach is set up next year. However, Cooper Legal, a law form working with survivors described the apology as tone deaf and hollow and said an announcement about meaningful redress needs to be made immediately. Minister in charge of the government response, Erica Stanford spoke to Lisa Owen.