❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Attorney General regarding Ryan Marron's ex gratia payment, specifically why the government settled on an amount less than recommended in a health report and requests information used to determine the figure. The Attorney General expresses sympathy, details considerations made, and highlights additional support provided.
AnsweredQoN 181Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
RYAN MARRON — EX GRATIA CLAIM
181. Hon KATE DOUST to the Attorney General:
I refer to Ryan Marron's ex
gratia payment and comments made on radio station 6PR on 10 March 2016. Mr Tom Marron,
Ryan's father, commented that the Lighthouse Health Group put together
a detailed health report for the state government about Ryan's future health
costs and care and that 24/7 care for the rest of Ryan's life will
alone cost $6.5 million.
(1) Why has the
government disregarded this detailed report and settled on a sum less than the
amount recommended by the group?
(2) In reference
to comments made by the Attorney General that $5.5 million was arrived at after
an assessment by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia and other advice
as to a suitable amount to provide for Ryan Marron's care for the rest
of his life, will the Attorney General table all the information used to
determine the figure?
(3) In reference
to comments made by the Attorney General about the costs to administer the fund
over the course of Ryan's life, will the state government increase the
amount offered to meet the cost of the trustee fees?
181. Hon KATE DOUST to the Attorney General:
I refer to Ryan Marron's ex
gratia payment and comments made on radio station 6PR on 10 March 2016. Mr Tom Marron,
Ryan's father, commented that the Lighthouse Health Group put together
a detailed health report for the state government about Ryan's future health
costs and care and that 24/7 care for the rest of Ryan's life will
alone cost $6.5 million.
(1) Why has the
government disregarded this detailed report and settled on a sum less than the
amount recommended by the group?
(2) In reference
to comments made by the Attorney General that $5.5 million was arrived at after
an assessment by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia and other advice
as to a suitable amount to provide for Ryan Marron's care for the rest
of his life, will the Attorney General table all the information used to
determine the figure?
(3) In reference
to comments made by the Attorney General about the costs to administer the fund
over the course of Ryan's life, will the state government increase the
amount offered to meet the cost of the trustee fees?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. Firstly, I would like to again extend my, and the
government's, deepest sympathies to Ryan Marron and his family and
friends.
(1)–(3) As
far as the elements raised by the honourable member are concerned, before
deciding to award Mr Marron a record $5.5 million ex gratia payment, cabinet
carefully considered detailed submissions from his legal representatives,
including the Lighthouse Report, as well as other confidential advice and
information received from bodies including RiskCover, the Disability Services
Commission, Western Australia Police and the State Solicitor's Office.
The advice and information is subject to legal professional privilege and/or
cabinet confidentiality. The $5.5 million payment is a compassionate offer and
represents a significant contribution to meet Mr Marron's future care needs.
It is higher than any ex gratia payment made by the state government. In
determining the amount of the award, all the circumstances of the matter were
carefully taken into account. Potential future trustee fees, if a corporate
trustee is appointed, were factored into the award. The payment is in addition
to the $400 000 that the state government gave in 2012 to assist Mr Marron to
seek specialist medical treatment in the United States. The state government
has also rightly ensured that he has received sick leave and payment of medical
expenses totalling almost $1.25 million since he was struck down by a mosquito
sting in 2011. The ex gratia payment is in
addition to any assistance he may be entitled to from other state or
commonwealth government–funded agencies and any entitlements for future
medical or other expenses under the Police (Medical and Other Expenses for
Former Officers) Act 2008.
The state government wants to ensure
that Mr Marron receives maximum benefit from these funds. I have arranged for a
meeting to be held between his father, Tom, and the Public Trustee's
office with that in mind. The appointment of an independent corporate trustee
is not the only option. Government will continue to work with Mr Marron's
family to find a solution that delivers the best possible results for him. The
government will also support an arrangement that involves a suitable trustee,
such as a family member, being appointed to further reduce the impact of any
fees.
some notice of the question. Firstly, I would like to again extend my, and the
government's, deepest sympathies to Ryan Marron and his family and
friends.
(1)–(3) As
far as the elements raised by the honourable member are concerned, before
deciding to award Mr Marron a record $5.5 million ex gratia payment, cabinet
carefully considered detailed submissions from his legal representatives,
including the Lighthouse Report, as well as other confidential advice and
information received from bodies including RiskCover, the Disability Services
Commission, Western Australia Police and the State Solicitor's Office.
The advice and information is subject to legal professional privilege and/or
cabinet confidentiality. The $5.5 million payment is a compassionate offer and
represents a significant contribution to meet Mr Marron's future care needs.
It is higher than any ex gratia payment made by the state government. In
determining the amount of the award, all the circumstances of the matter were
carefully taken into account. Potential future trustee fees, if a corporate
trustee is appointed, were factored into the award. The payment is in addition
to the $400 000 that the state government gave in 2012 to assist Mr Marron to
seek specialist medical treatment in the United States. The state government
has also rightly ensured that he has received sick leave and payment of medical
expenses totalling almost $1.25 million since he was struck down by a mosquito
sting in 2011. The ex gratia payment is in
addition to any assistance he may be entitled to from other state or
commonwealth government–funded agencies and any entitlements for future
medical or other expenses under the Police (Medical and Other Expenses for
Former Officers) Act 2008.
The state government wants to ensure
that Mr Marron receives maximum benefit from these funds. I have arranged for a
meeting to be held between his father, Tom, and the Public Trustee's
office with that in mind. The appointment of an independent corporate trustee
is not the only option. Government will continue to work with Mr Marron's
family to find a solution that delivers the best possible results for him. The
government will also support an arrangement that involves a suitable trustee,
such as a family member, being appointed to further reduce the impact of any
fees.
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