The Dominion Post
June 10 2003
Goff rebuffs Ellis petition
Justice
Minister Phil Goff has challenged author Lynley Hood to give him fresh evidence
of a miscarriage of justice in the case of convicted sex offender Peter Ellis.
Mr Goff rebuffed growing calls from prominent New Zealanders yesterday to order
a royal commission of inquiry into Ellis' conviction for child abuse at
Christchurch Civic Creche.
A petition signed by former Labour prime ministers
David Lange and Mike Moore, plus lawyers, writers and media people, has been
circulating Parliament, attracting signatures across the political spectrum.
It is understood several Labour MPs have been considering signing the petition,
including backbench Government MPs David Parker, Georgina Beyer and Russell Fairbrother. They are understood to be awaiting approval
from Labour caucus whip David Benson-Pope. But Mr Benson-Pope said it was
unlikely permission would be granted.
"We don't generally respond to questionnaires or petitions unless there is
an agreed caucus position. I wouldn't be expecting members of the Labour caucus
to be supporting it."
National MPs Don Brash, Katherine Rich and Judith Collins have already signed,
along with ACT MP deputy leader Ken Shirley and MPs Stephen
Franks, Rodney Hide and Muriel Newman. Green co-leaders Rod Donald and Jeanette
Fitzsimons and MPs Keith Locke and Sue Bradford and United Future leader Peter
Dunne have also signed.
Mr Goff said yesterday that he would not send the Ellis case for further review
unless Hood produced fresh evidence.
"I have always said I have an open mind on the question of the conviction
of Peter Ellis.
"(But) I draw attention to the fact that he was convicted by a jury (and)
he has had his case twice before the Court of Appeal."
Mr Goff said he had also sent the case to former chief justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum, who found the case failed "by a distinct
margin" to demonstrate any miscarriage of justice.
He conceded he had the power to set up a royal commission but said fresh
evidence was needed. Mr Goff said an application for a royal prerogative of
mercy was another avenue open to Ellis supporters.
He had now read "substantial parts" of Hood's book.