Simon Power

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, Oct 16 NZPA - Government assistance announced today for families of murder victims goes nowhere near far enough, the father of murder victim Karl Kuchenbecker says.

Justice Minister Simon Power announced a package for victims of serious crime which included almost doubling the funeral grant to $10,000.

It would provide a court attendance grant of $124 per person per day for up to five adult members of a homicide victim's family.

There would also be a grant of between $1500 and $5000 for murder victim's families, who were in financial trouble.

Paul Kuchenbecker's son Karl was killed by parolee Graeme Burton in hills near Lower Hutt in January 2007, while Burton was on parole.

Families should be given $50,000 up front, similar to what was offered in New South Wales, Mr Kuchenbecker said.

"I know it's not all about money but at the same it takes the stress off that person, who is grieving already, to not have to worry about financial problems.

"It's not their fault it's not the victim's fault, it's directly related to the government and its policies of letting people out when they shouldn't be let out. I believe the government should front up."

Victims' families had to take time off work to organise a funeral and attend trials.

"Everybody's different, I own my own business so I don't see it in any form of money lost but I can see anyone on wages would have to take time off," he said.

"But it's not just the actual funeral time and the hearings and all that, there's a lot of hidden time that people don't realise and you have to sort these things out, you have to take time off.

"It's nowhere near enough for victims of crime."

ACC paid about $4500 towards the cost of his son's funeral, which cost $20,000.

"I don't believe it's enough -- I believe one lump payment of $50,000 in the beginning would cover all that for victims of crime."

While it was good there was some extra help especially regarding the court allowance; "It's not really a victory if it's not enough. Some people might be grateful for that".