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Otago Daily Times
Saturday, 18-March 2000
Govt 'should fund legal costs' for creche parents
Wellington: The Government should fund the legal
costs parents of Christchurch Creche children would face in the ministerial
inquiry into the case of convicted paedophile Peter Ellis, Opposition leader
Jenny Shipley said yesterday.
Mrs Shipley said she had been approached by parents of creche children who
were "dismayed" that they and their children faced yet another
inquiry.
They had written to Justice Minister Phil Goff asking him to fund a lawyer
for the families and Mrs Shipley yesterday called on Prime Minister Helen
Clark to "show some compassion and balance" and arrange to fund
their legal costs.
"In deciding to impose a government inquiry it would be unreasonable if
the Government does not pay for professional support for the children and
their families as they make submissions.
"Peter Ellis has had the best of legal advice.
"These parents and their children are entitled to equal support given
that the Government has agreed that this inquiry should take place and the
terms of reference are set."
Mrs Shipley said Ms Clark should make a decision quickly on the parents'
legal costs to avoid further anxiety or distress.
"While justice must be done, it should not be at the emotional and
financial cost of those who have already been through a great deal," she
said.
Chief Justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum will investigate whether the way the
evidence was gathered against Ellis was sound and, if not, whether the
breaches were so serious that a pardon was warranted. - NZPA
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