‘Payment expected within seven days’: New Zealand doctor invoices US embassy for rising petrol costs

A New Zealand doctor has asked the US embassy in Wellington to reimburse his clinic for petrol costs, saying Donald Trump and his administration started an “avoidable war” and should foot the bill for rising fuel prices.

Dr Shane Dunphy, of Onslow medical centre in New Zealand’s capital, requested the US embassy pay his centre NZ$2,790.95 (US$1,597) for the cost of petrol vouchers provided to staff to help pay for transport.

In a letter sent with the invoice, Dunphy said his staff were struggling to afford petrol because of the energy crisis triggered by the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

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The clinic had provided the vouchers to staff so they could afford to come to work and feed their families, he said. “We now ask that the USA reimburse us the cost of these vouchers. The USA is responsible for this and therefore should be held accountable.”

New Zealand is particularly exposed to the energy crisis caused by the conflict, as it is highly dependent on global trade and susceptible to disruptions in supply chains and shipping.

Petrol prices have increased up to 50 cents a litre, pushing the average price of unleaded fuel to more than $3 per litre.

Dunphy’s letter takes aim at Trump and called the attack on Iran “immoral and completely unjustified”.

He encouraged other individuals and businesses to send the US embassy their invoices for increased costs, but added: “No amount of money could compensate for the human misery and loss of life Trump and the USA are responsible for.”

Dunphy signed off his letter saying: “Payment is expected within seven days”.

Speaking to the Guardian, Dunphy said he felt compelled to send the letter and invoice on 27 March as “a matter of principle”.

“If you break something, you should fix it,” he said. “I think that the whole world needs to be pointing the finger at the US and saying, sort this out. You voted this man to be president. You sort it out.”

Dunphy criticised nations that had not condemned the war, including New Zealand and its prime minister, Christoper Luxon. “Unless they stand on principle, you know, what do we have?” Dunphy said. “One man has led to this global economic crisis. So that sums it up for me, that’s why I’ve done it.”

Dunphy said he didn’t anticipate the embassy would pay the account.

The US embassy has been contacted for comment.