15 Dec 2020

Government sets up package for Southern Response claimants

From Morning Report, 8:16 am on 15 December 2020

A lawyer acting for Christchurch home-owners short changed in earthquake settlements says a new plan announced by the government is likely to run into trouble.

Last year in a landmark case, the High Court found the government's claim settlement agency, Southern Response, misled and deceived Karl and Alison Dodds.

It ordered the government to pay the couple nearly $180,000.

The government has now set up a package for other Southern Response claimants who settled before October 2014.

Its estimated about 3000 people will be eligible to benefit.

But most of them are already taking part in a class action led by Brendan and Colleen Ross.

Their lawyer Grant Cameron speaks to Corin Dann.