The State Government has confirmed that they will make a $1 million act of grace payment to the family of Denishar Woods – the young girl who was left seriously and permanently injured by an electric shock from a garden tap at her public housing home.

Denishar, who has just turned 12, received the electric shock while turning off a garden tap at her Department of Communities house in March and suffered a catastrophic brain injury.

The Government has accepted responsibility for what happened – but had refused a request for a $3.2 million ex gratia payment, before any legal settlement that might be bigger.

Today, a spokesman confirmed that in the weeks before Christmas, they had made an offer of a $1m act of grace payment to be held on trust and managed by the Public Trustee.

Camera Icon Denishar Woods, pictured here in March 2018. Credit: Michael Wilson

Denishar’s family said today they had accepted that request.

“Denishar Woods is the victim of a dreadful accident and the State Government is committed to ensuring her immediate and longer-term welfare and wellbeing,” a statement said.

“The intention of the payment is to allow money to be administered by the Public Trustee to meet Denishar's ongoing care needs, in circumstances where any civil claim against the State and/or any third parties appears unlikely to be commenced or settled/decided in the near future.”

Denishar’s mother Lacey Harrison told The West Australian the payment had provided some relief ahead of a difficult festive season for the family.

“I cried when it was all agreed, because all I want is the absolute best care for Denishar and her needs,” Ms Harrison said.

“We will meet with the lawyers and the government, and work out what is the best way this money can be used to give my little girl what she requires.”

Last year, in explaining why the ex-gratia request had been refused, Attorney General John Quigley had said “Denishar should get millions and millions for what has happened to her.”

“She is a hapless victim in all this and just went to turn off a tap and has had her life destroyed and needs to be properly compensated,” he said.

But that legal claim could take months, or even years to settle.