Hantavirus-hit cruise ship Australians isolating in Perth unlikely to be paid out, experts say
Australians evacuated from a hantavirus-hit cruise ship are unlikely to receive compensation, experts say.Summary
Six passengers, including five Australians, have arrived in Perth after being evacuated from the MV Hondius, which was at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak. While legal experts suggest Australians might seek compensation under Australian consumer law, a lawyer from the Ruby Princess class action warns the cruise company will likely argue that Australian law has no jurisdiction. The Dutch-flagged ship's terms and conditions explicitly limit liability and state that the laws of the Netherlands apply to the contract. Dr Sagi Peari believes Australian consumer guarantees could apply, while Vicky Antzoulatos notes that legal recourse would be difficult and that European law might offer better consumer protection.
(Source：ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation))