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Parliament
Wed 22 March 2000
Christchurch Civic Creche--Parents' Legal Representation
Tony Ryall
Will the Government fund the legal representations of the
Christchurch Civic Creche families to the ministerial inquiry into the Peter
Ellis convictions?
Hon. Phil Goff (Minister of Justice)
Last week I received a request from some of the Christchurch Creche
families for financial assistance so they can make legal representations to
the inquiry. I am sympathetic to the suggestion that the viewpoint of the
families is properly represented to the inquiry just as Mr Ellis' viewpoint
will need to be. That will facilitate the process of the inquiry. In
responding to the families I have asked for clarification of a couple of
matters before I make the final decision.
Tony Ryall
When the families met with him a few weeks ago, why did he decline to
provide assistance with their legal representation when Mr Ellis has received
over $380,000 in legal aid?
Hon. Phil Goff
The member has got it quite wrong- I have never declined to provide
financial assistance to the families to be represented before this inquiry.
They wrote to me on 14 March. I have since responded in the manner suggested
in my principle answer. As for the money made available to Mr Ellis in legal
aid, that, of course, was all made available when that Minister and his
Government were the Government of this country
Tim Barnett.
Is the Leader of the Opposition's recent statement that the Minister
has refused to fund legal representation for the families for their
involvement in the inquiry correct?
Hon. Phil Goff
Absolutely not. Mrs Shipley has just made that up. My reply to the
families' letter of 14 March acknowledges that submissions might need to be
made with the aid of legal counsel, that I was considering their request, and
that I sought clarification of which families the request had been made on
behalf of.
Rod Donald:
Is the Minister giving similar consideration to providing legal aid
assistance to the former staff of the Christchurch Civic Child Care Centre?
Hon. Phil Goff
No request has been made by the staff who were initially charged and
subsequently had those charges dropped for representation before the inquiry
Tony Ryall
Considering that these families have been through a police inquiry, a
depositions hearing, a High Court trial, and two Court of Appeal
considerations without any assistance, will the Minister give this House an
assurance that he will fund the legal representation of the families despite
the very clear impression that the families received from him from their
meeting 3 weeks ago?
Hon. Phil Goff
The member again is quite wrong The families' viewpoint and their
accusations against the accused were, of course represented by *Crown
counsel, just as Mr Ellis's defence was represented with the aid of legal
aid, It is important in any serious criminal matter that people are properly
represented so that the court can easily determine, or more readily
determine, whether the charges can be upheld on the basis of the evidence
available.
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