In Melanie Trevethick's recent legal claim against the Ministry of Health challenging this disparity, (begun in April, 2003,) the Court of Appeal released its decision in October 2008. While striking out her claim it more than vindicated it by stating 'that Government can justify such discrimination under the Bill of Rights.' As our judges are only able to make decisions based on current law/legislation the decision speaks volumes; their considered judgement delivering both an intended gross contradiction in terms and damming indictment on Government. (The Bill of Rights was written to protect New Zealanders from discrimination yet by this ruling it is now shown that Parliament wrote the legislation in such a manner so as to protect itself from any future claims.) To say this is unacceptable is an understatement. Legal discrimination administered by Government to a sector of its population is an oxymoron by any standards or application of the words.

Equity-for-Illness is committed to see this blatant discrimination removed from Government statutes.

If you agree please take advantage of the opportunity to send our e-mail postcards to Government Ministers and opposition MPs. You can also download the manual petition and/or donate to further this campaign. In a democracy such as ours each individual is a stakeholder in Government. Please become a part of the process and more vitally, a part of the solution. Thank you.