Australian Senate committee decides against compensation for victims of infected blood

An Australian Senate committee of inquiry into the infection of over 8000 people with hepatitis C from blood transfusions and blood products has proposed a fund to improve their access to healthcare services but ruled out a compensation scheme.

Canada and Ireland have instituted compensation schemes covering loss of income and medical costs and—along with Great Britain—the provision of lump sum payments. It was a model that the Senate committee baulked at.

Chairwoman of the committee, Senator Jan McLucas, said: “If we had gone down the route of a compensation tribunal, it is the view of the …