And the number shall be 50.. no more.. no less

Today saw the sentencing of a lady in Hobart who was found guilty of killing her husband.  She was convicted and sentenced to 26 years imprisonment with parole eligibility after 18 years. What struck me as unusual was that she was also sentenced to pay $50 levy as per the Victims of Crime Compensation Act 1994.

After reading the sentencing document from the Supreme Court that detailed the heinous crime, followed by quite a lengthy sentence – it was a stark contrast to come up with a figure of $50. 

How is that number worked out?  Who does it help?  Surely it’s not enough to do anything of any real importance.  So is it then purely a symbolic gesture?   

I looked for similar levels of compensation :

·         $50 is the amount that Australia Post will compensate for general loss or damage for items sent through normal post.  (www.pio.gov.au/.../aust_post_determining_levels_of_compensation.pdf)

• $50 seems to be a common figure used for compensating volunteers who participate in psychology experiments or clinical trials.

• If you are a juror in North Dakota, you receive $25 for the first day and $50 thereafter.

• The Norwegian Cruise Line compensated passengers $50 per cabin for a delay of one day caused by engine trouble.

• And finally, a 10 year old girl was fined $50 for setting up a lemonade stand in Central Park, NY. (http://kdka.com/watercooler/lemonade.stand.fine.2.1131754.html)

What a strange figure to come up with.  Perhaps when considering the inequity of this levy, one needs to remember the Chinese Proverb that it is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness..  Lets hope the money is invested wisely.