TAS: Port Arthur writs start to pile up

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-1999
TAS: Port Arthur writs start to pile up

By Don Woolford

HOBART, April 19 AAP - As the third anniversary and the deadline for legal action
approaches, a flood of writs is emerging against the Tasmanian government over the Port Arthur
massacre.

By today, a total of 14 writs seeking unspecified damages for personal injuries had been
filed in the Tasmanian Supreme Court.

Ten were by employees of the historic site who were working there on April 28, 1996, when
Martin Bryant shot dead 35 people.

Two are by tourists, one by a police officer who has since left the force and one by a
local doctor.

Dr Pamela Lynn Ireland, who treated victims on the day and later, and former constable Gary
James Hurst, are suing the state of Tasmania.

The rest are suing the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority, a state government
agency.

The writs by Carolyn Anne Loughton, of Murwillumbah, NSW, and Jennifer Margaret Moors, of
Clarence Park, South Australia, seek damages because of negligence and a breach of duty of
care.

The writs by the site workers also allege breach of contract of employment.

They are Steven John Howard, Colleen Maree Parker, Ashley John Law, Andrew David Simmons,
Suzanne June Burgess, Wendy Esme Scurr, Vicki Ann McLaughlin, Robyn May Cooper, Lee-Ann
Goodwin and Ann Hillman.

Under Tasmanian law, the time limit for legal action runs out on April 28, although
extensions are possible under special circumstances.

Victims and their families have shared in the $3.5 million memorial fund and Bryant's
confiscated assets which came to about $1 million.

Substantial pay-outs have also been made under the state's Criminal Injuries Compensation
Fund.

These payments were on top of workers compensation and the payment of medical bills which,
for some people, will continue for the forseeable future.

AAP dw/was/de

KEYWORD: ARTHUR WRIT

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