bereavement.

The Fatal Injuries (Statutory Sum) Order 1993 was passed unanimously by Senators on Wednesday and now goes to the Governor for approval.

Government Senate Leader the Hon. Michael Winfield said an earlier debate in the House of Assembly showed there were misconceptions about the change. The fixed amount for bereavement is in addition to what courts might award for medical, funeral, or legal expenses, or pecuniary loss of the head of a household, he said.

Because it is so difficult to compare one loss with another, and because "no amount of compensation would be adequate'', a fixed amount is set for bereavement under the Fatal Injuries Act 1949, he said.

In the United Kingdom, the amount was recently doubled to 7,000, he said. While not opposing the change, Senate Oppoisition Leader Sen.

Alex Scott said the law was illogical. "It is curious to find that in this piece of legislation one can receive a greater payment for loss of limb or injury than one's family or one's estate will receive for loss of life.''