The Government has decided not to pay extra compensation to two brothers who received life-changing injuries in the Defence Force.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said on Thursday while the Government has huge sympathy for the brothers who were tragically injured in two separate incidents, there have been no substantive changes to their case since the Cabinet last considered the issue 10 years ago.
George Nepata became a tetraplegic as a result of an accident during a training exercise in Singapore in 1989.
Damien Nepata received burns to 40% of his body in 1994 when the Scorpion tank he was driving crashed, rolled and caught fire in Waiouru.
The Nepatas have previously received compensation from the Government Superannuation Fund and the Accident Compensation Corporation.
The Maori Affairs select committee had recommended that they get additional compensation for their injuries and subsequent hardship.
But Mr Coleman said if they did allow the Nepata brothers to receive extra compensation it would open the flood gate for other soldiers injured in similar circumstances.
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