Legal aid decision reversed

I think almost every New Zealand was appalled last month when they heard the news that the former partner of Karl Kuchenbecker, who was murdered by Graeme Burton while out on parole, was ordered to repay the $19,000 of legal aid costs she had occured in relation to the inquest into his death.

It pointed to a system where victims of crime get treated the same (or worse) than alleged perpetrators.

Now the decision has been reversed by the Legal Services Agency, which is a good thing. But it is worth remembering that the new rules which led to this, were only put in place 11 months ago.