Jim Goodwin: Lake Alice survivor on the redress payments for those who experienced abuse in care

A Lake Alice survivor understands the frustration at the Government's torture redress. 

Eligible people tortured at the psychiatric hospital in the 1970s can take an expedited payment of $150 thousand or apply for independently assessed redress. 

Payments will be made between March and December next year. 

But survivor Jim Goodwin told Andrew Dickens these people have spent their lives being fobbed off and may feel it's not good enough. 

He says this is also being determined by government ministers and heads of government departments – the very people who have fobbed them off. 

Goodwin says it seems to him that this won't be the full and final settlement, but rather the $150 thousand is just the start.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Following the Royal Commission into Abuse and State Care, Lake
Alice survivors finally have certainty with a redress scheme announced
by the Minister Erica Stamford says. Each survivor will receive
a minimum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and
a one off payment, or they can choose to go
through an individual payment process, which will see each claim
independently assessed to determine the amount paid. And you'd hope

(00:23):
maybe you might get some more money for that more recompense.
Twenty two point sixty eight million has been set aside
for this redress process. A new written apology will be issued,
as well as access to support and rehab services. Jim
Goodwin is a Lake Alice survivor and joins me now, Jim.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hello, Hello, I'm not a Like Alice survivor.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
Yes you are, You're not.

Speaker 2 (00:46):
No, I'm not a like Alice survivor. Oh yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 (00:50):
Well why are we talking to you?

Speaker 2 (00:51):
Then? A Hi? You guys got to me because I
was involved in the Royal commercial. Now, I was a
survivor group for the Royal Commissioner.

Speaker 1 (01:01):
Oh very good. Okay, So how are the survivors feeling
about this redress package.

Speaker 2 (01:06):
Well, from watching the media, some of them are pretty angry.

Speaker 1 (01:11):
Well, could you explain? Could you explain for the people?
I mean, first of all, explain explain to everyone why
they might be angry. Explain for everybody why greater redress
is necessary, and also explain how this is a documented
case of torture done by New Zealand and recognized by
the UN.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
That's right, it is a documented case of torture. And
I don't want to speak for the Lake Alie survivors,
but I get why they're angry because they've spent their
lives being fobbed off, ignored and trying to get what
they're finally getting. Now. I get that they're still angry
and saying that this is not good enough. Also, this

(01:50):
has been determined by ministers of the Crown and heads
of government department. The very people were very people in
the very positions that have fobbed them off and ignored
them for their lives.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
They have a choice, they have a choice. Obviously they
can go. They can either get one hundred and fifty
grand straight up one thing. And you've got to realize
a lot of these guys are getting older, you know,
and there's time is starting to take if you know
what I mean, or they could go through yet another fight,
which is, you know, an individual payment process where an
arbit decides that they might deserve more. How many do

(02:27):
you think we'll take that choice?

Speaker 2 (02:29):
I don't know what the numbers of like Ellis survivors
are now, because, as you say, they some of them
are dying and being a survivor or social into life,
so particularly after what they've been through. So I don't
know how many will keep fighting. It sounds to me,

(02:51):
it reads to me like one hundred and fifty grand
doesn't necessarily mean an end to it. It seems to
me that one hundred and fifty thousand well over one
hundred and thirst fifty thousand. But if you want to
want more later, we'll look at that. I don't think
this was a full and final settlement. That's my reading
of it.

Speaker 1 (03:10):
Andred Jim, I thank you for your time this morning,
and thank you for all your support of those survivors
who have been through hell. The Row Commission made one
hundred and thirty eight recommendations. Christopher Luxon said the government
has either completed or was progressing twenty eight of them
so far, so maybe time is of the essence, So
maybe this redress has come about quickly so that there's

(03:32):
something happening, and as Jim suggests, perhaps there might be
more a bit later on, but at the same time
remember our financial situation. A National Remembrance Day will be
held on November the twelfth next year to mark the
one year anniversary of the apology. And here's another one.
The Prime Minister yesterday committed to work to remove street names,
public amenities and public honors that highlighted the proven perpetrators.

(03:55):
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