…. a press release from Susan Couch……
Yesterday, Susan Couch put out a press release to all media. We also received a copy. We thought we’d share it with you……
News release 4 November 2008
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS FOR RSA VICTIM
Sole survivor of the 2001 RSA killings, Susan Couch, has made a statement in regards to the recent controversy surrounding NZ First’s donation to the Sue Couch Victims Trust.
The Auckland part time working mother who was left for dead following the tragic events in 2001 says she is saddened by the arguments raised which question the Trust’s integrity.
Sue Couch says: “The donations will be used to benefit victims of violent crime placed in a similar situation to my own.”
Susan Couch was working at the Panmure RSA when she was attacked, beaten and left for dead by convicted murderer William Bell in December 2001. She suffered severe injuries but was not covered by any ACC lump sum compensation. Couch says the lack of Government support to victims of violent crime is a serious issue.
“My financial plight is real, as are those of other victims of serious crime. I appreciate the donation by Winston Peters and all others who have donated money to this very important Trust,” she says.
The Trust is currently in the process of being registered. Once it has been established Sue Couch will be listed as patron.
Couch also disapproves the negative commentary surrounding the involvement of her lawyers, Brian Henry and Dennis Gates to the Trust and to her case. “They have spent many hours working on my legal case, fighting to help me receive an account from the Government Department who failed to protect both myself and the public by releasing Bell on parole. They have done this work without being paid, for which I am truly grateful.”
Couch says the trustees are generously working to help her and others who are living the same life sentence as social welfare beneficiaries.
“Whatever people think of Winston, I am very grateful for the donation by NZ First to the Trust. The money will be put to good use”
ENDS
November 6th, 2008 at 8:13 am
An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the fox’s have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry. National blame Labour for nine years of decline and Labour blame National for the previous nine years of decline. Eighteen years of decline and National look to start the cycle again. Electoral Commission, SFO and the police all cleared NZ First and Mr Peters. What does that say about Mr Key and Mr Hyde and their motives. Labour and National are trying to “out promise” each other. With the world in recession should we believe them after eighteen years of decline. I urge fair minded New Zealander’s to vote wisely. New Zealand needs NZ First, not more of same old, same old.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
The tragedy of NZ has been the lack of real growth in exports and productivity over past 20 years. NZ First seem the only party aware of the problem. Have a look at the racing industry and what happened there. Some seed funding, the right structures and fairness in pricing. That industry is bolting. What happened to the JV’s where the investor provides the capital and loans plus technology and must provide a mirror operation in kind. The emphasis to be in added value areas where we have the comparative advantage. It is sad we are more concerned with this fatuous greenhouse gas plague and the working for families policy rather that concentrating on growth.
Others may be aware but say nothing to allay all the interest groups they are behoven to.
We are slipping off the back of the elephant
November 6th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Thankyou Susan for speaking out. We are so pleased that the money has gone to such a good cause & will be used to to the advantage of those in need of it.
We are proud to be apart of New Zealand First & they have our vote unconditionally.
Like you they have plenty of Guts & are prepared to stand up & be counted
November 7th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I have no problems as to what Wintson did with the money I trust his judgement and I am plased he found such a worthy cause..
I too am proud to be ticking the New Zealand First box on Saturday as I have done since the party began…
November 8th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
For the first time ever I voted for Winston Peters!! I have been a voter long enough to see him speak out and get hammered by other politicians/big business and the press, but he is usually right when he smells a rat! I was pleasently surprised and pleased by his behaviour as our Foreign Minister (pity about our media and the embaressing way they drag National issues into an international visit..they just make us look very ’smalltown’overseas.)
NZ First has done right by my elderly Mum-and seems to have good values for our society.
And our political landscape would be a lot duller without him!
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
I was sad to see no candidate for NZ First in the Makaurau electrol. I honestly believed that these are the areas, you should of had candidates. You / We have 3 years to build, so lets go, so come on Winston we need candidates, lets get out there and start filling the general seats as well. Meri