❓ Ms. Mettam questions the Attorney General about financial compensation for Danny Hodgson, a one-punch victim. The Attorney General details ongoing negotiations and efforts to provide financial assistance, highlighting ICWA's involvement and limitations.
AnsweredQoN 725Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMMUNITY SAFETY — DANNY HODGSON
725. Ms L. METTAM to the Attorney General:
I refer to one-punch victim Danny
Hodgson's continued bid for financial compensation and the Attorney General's
comments. He stated —
''During my 24 years in
Parliament I've fought for a number of justice causes � I want to leave
on a good note. Danny's my last big fight for justice from inside the
Parliament.''
Given the revelation that Danny cannot pay his bills, is
living off donations and struggling financially, when will this government
provide the financial certainty he rightly deserves?
725. Ms L. METTAM to the Attorney General:
I refer to one-punch victim Danny
Hodgson's continued bid for financial compensation and the Attorney General's
comments. He stated —
''During my 24 years in
Parliament I've fought for a number of justice causes � I want to leave
on a good note. Danny's my last big fight for justice from inside the
Parliament.''
Given the revelation that Danny cannot pay his bills, is
living off donations and struggling financially, when will this government
provide the financial certainty he rightly deserves?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Liberal
Party for the question. There are negotiations going on at the moment between
Mr Hodgson's counsel and the State Solicitor's Office. As the
member might be aware, I sought not to intervene but use some influence with
the SSO to put aside court proceedings, which were on foot, so that
negotiations could be entered into to resolve the matter as soon as possible
with a substantial payment. On behalf of the government, I also approached Mr
Hodgson's solicitors with a view to seeing whether an interim part
payment would be appropriate to tide him over until such time that a final
settlement is reached. The response was that as there is an NDIS plan in place
at the moment, they do not want an interim payment at this point. I have done
everything I can in that regard, but they want to proceed expeditiously or as
soon as possible to arrive at a final figure. Might I say that, to a certain
extent, the final figure is out of the government's hands because the
government and government departments are insured through the Insurance
Commission of Western Australia, and any payment ultimately has to be approved
by ICWA, which, under the insurance policy, can step in and take over the
action in terms of the defence. This is not unusual; it happens in every motor
vehicle accident claim. I wish to assure the member and the public that I am
assiduously working with his solicitors and his counsel. He has got a very good
counsel, Mr David Bayly, who is one of the most experienced personal injury
lawyers in the city and is working as fast as possible to bring home the
substantive settlement for Danny.
Party for the question. There are negotiations going on at the moment between
Mr Hodgson's counsel and the State Solicitor's Office. As the
member might be aware, I sought not to intervene but use some influence with
the SSO to put aside court proceedings, which were on foot, so that
negotiations could be entered into to resolve the matter as soon as possible
with a substantial payment. On behalf of the government, I also approached Mr
Hodgson's solicitors with a view to seeing whether an interim part
payment would be appropriate to tide him over until such time that a final
settlement is reached. The response was that as there is an NDIS plan in place
at the moment, they do not want an interim payment at this point. I have done
everything I can in that regard, but they want to proceed expeditiously or as
soon as possible to arrive at a final figure. Might I say that, to a certain
extent, the final figure is out of the government's hands because the
government and government departments are insured through the Insurance
Commission of Western Australia, and any payment ultimately has to be approved
by ICWA, which, under the insurance policy, can step in and take over the
action in terms of the defence. This is not unusual; it happens in every motor
vehicle accident claim. I wish to assure the member and the public that I am
assiduously working with his solicitors and his counsel. He has got a very good
counsel, Mr David Bayly, who is one of the most experienced personal injury
lawyers in the city and is working as fast as possible to bring home the
substantive settlement for Danny.
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