It has been almost two-and-a-half years since Mr Fitzgerald was attacked by a spectator at three-quarter-time of the 2012 Spencer Gulf League grand final in Port Pirie.

He has so far received no recompense for medical and travel costs associated with his injuries which have affected his sight and he is still seeking compensation.

Mr Bignell and fellow Cabinet Minister and Independent Member for Frome Geoff Brock had an impromptu meeting with Mr Fitzgerald in Port Pirie on Smelter’s Picnic Day last year.

The Recreation and Sport Minister promised to look into Mr Fitzgerald’s situation.

Mr Bignell said Mr Fitzgerald should have been compensated by now by the insurance company involved.

“This is two-and-a-half-years old. This is why people don’t like insurance companies – they want to take the money from you when you pay all your levies and premiums and when you want to cash in, they want to fight you all the way through the courts,” he said.

“Keep hammering the insurance company.”

He said the jail term imposed on Mr Fitzgerald's attacker sent a strong message that no-one should touch umpires.

The SGL’s insurance that covered Mr Fitzgerald was provided through JLT Insurance.

The Recorder contacted JLT Sport in Melbourne and that company said it was a “broker” and not the insurance company involved in the matter.

A woman called Alicia at the free-call Melbourne phone number for JLT Sport was told by the newspaper that the Recreation and Sport Minister had criticised the delay in compensation and she was invited to comment.

“I am not in a position to comment on it or direct you any further,” she said.

She confirmed JLT Sport was involved in insurance coverage for football leagues associated with the AFL.

Sources within the SANFL emphasised that the case was between Mr Fitzgerald and the SGL and its insurer.

A spokesman for the SGL could not be contacted.

Mr Fitzgerald thanked The Recorder and Channel Seven for pursuing his case.

“I feel I am 100 percent in the right. I was just out there umpiring a game of footy and had no protection,” he said.

Mr Brock said Mr Fitzgerald had been “harshly treated”.

“I have known Paul for many years and he is a very conscientious person,” he said.

“He would not hurt a fly. He is very impassioned about sport, not only football, but harness racing training as well.

“I think this should have been resolved earlier. The incident was out of his control. It is a tragedy for something like that to happen.

“It is not only the cost factor, but the long-lasting personal effect on someone’s ability to enjoy life socially.”

Mr Brock said he was working with Mr Bignell to help resolve the situation.

He will look into legislation under the Workers’ Compensation Act relating to volunteers and employees.

The SGL’s position is that Mr Fitzgerald was not an employee at the time of the incident.