Black Saturday bushfire victims to share in $500m settlement

Victims of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires have been awarded close to $500 million in Australia’s largest class action settlement.

Emotions ran high as a Supreme Court judge approved the payout to more than 5000 people.

Carol Matthews lost her son and then risked losing everything to fight for justice for Black Saturday victims.

“If we had lost, I would’ve been liable for the costs. I will tell you here and now that I don’t have $60 million dollars,” Ms Matthews said.

Sam Matthews, 22, was among 119 people to perish in the deadly fire that tore through Kinglake and Kilmore East which destroyed more than 1700 homes.

A royal commission found an ageing power line sparked the erratic blaze.

Throughout the 16-month trial, Ms Matthews said she wore an infinity bracelet with a 5 cent piece on it that Sam had made, to give her strength.

“I’ve held on to it knowing that at some stage he would help us to get some justice for all those people that died,” she said.

Ms Matthews said the judgement today showed it had done the job.

It is the highest class action payout in our country’s legal history.

SP AusNet will pay close to $380 million while Utility Services Group must kick in $12 million.

The remaining $103 million coming from the State Government. Maurice Blackburn takes $60 million in legal fees.

Distributing the compensation will be a complex task. Every claim will be assessed in two categories including those whose property was destroyed or damaged or those who suffered a personal injury or lost a loved one.

But despite the payout, Ms Matthews said her loss remains a constant.

“I have to face the consequences that yes, Christmas is coming and it's going to be another Christmas without my son,” Ms Matthews said.