Stuff
June 24 2003

High-profile Ellis petition to be presented today
NZPA

National MP Don Brash is hopeful the signatures of 140 high-profile New Zealanders will convince the Government to review Peter Ellis' conviction in the Christchurch Civic Creche child abuse case.

The petition calling for a royal commission of inquiry was started by National MPs Katherine Rich and Dr Brash.

Author Lynley Hood's book A City Possessed triggered the petition, which will be presented by Hood at Parliament this morning.

Ellis was sentenced to 10 years' jail in 1993. He spent 6 ½ years in prison and was freed in 2000, having always maintained his innocence.

Dr Brash said the petition had enjoyed "quite unexpected support.

"We decided the best chance of persuading Government to change its position on this was to get the signatures of a number of New Zealanders who would be difficult to ignore," he said.

"We've been able to get signatures from all seven political parties in government. We've been able to get the signatures of two former Labour prime ministers, three former cabinet ministers, and one retired High Court judge. These people are not likely to be driven by mass hysteria."

Among those reported to have signed the petition are former prime ministers David Lange and Mike Moore, Queen's Counsels Nigel Hampton and Stuart Grieve, law professors John Burrows, John Prebble and Mark Henaghan, writers Keri Hulme, Maurice Gee and Witi Ihimaera, Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner and media personalities including Listener editor Finlay Macdonald, columnists Chris Trotter and Frank Haden, Metro founder Warwick Roger and National Business Review publisher Barry Colman.

Labour MPs David Parker and Georgina Beyer have signed, despite being advised by their party whip that Labour politicians should not support the petition.

"I think they are persuaded there is a serious case to answer. On the face of it a serious miscarriage of justice occurred and the current processes have not fixed that," Dr Brash said.

"We're hopeful the government will realise they simply can't ignore that expression of view."

Earlier this month, Justice Minister Phil Goff said he was not persuaded there was good reason for such an inquiry.

"I keep and must keep an open mind on the question of the safety of the conviction," he said.

"Before I can refer any matter back to the court, there has to be new evidence not yet considered by the judicial system.

"So far the Peter Ellis case has been before a jury, who have determined unanimously that he was guilty.

"It has been twice to the Court of Appeal, where seven separate Court of Appeal judges have said there is no miscarriage of justice."

It had also been to a ministerial inquiry, he said.

Ms Rich said the petition was not about politics, but "the integrity of the justice system".