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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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An independent assessor
will be appointed to examine claims of abuse at Waiouru's Army cadet school
and Defence Minister Mark Burton indicated an official commission of inquiry
was possible. Mr Burton yesterday
announced some details of the Government's response to the abuse claims and
revealed his office had received 85 calls so far alleging abuse. The issue erupted last week
after former cadet Ian Fraser, now living in Perth, alleged widespread
"physical, psychological and sexual abuse" of cadets from the 1960s
until the school closed in 1991. It had opened in 1948. Mr Burton told the
post-Cabinet meeting press conference an independent assessor would be
appointed to investigate all claims in a "neutral manner" and he
hoped to put a name to next Monday's Cabinet for approval. Defence Force policies
to deal with such incidents would also be reviewed. Asked if the inquiry would
be conducted under commissions of inquiry rules, he said that would be
decided next Monday. "I will take to
Cabinet the options and recommendations as to the terms of reference." He said the assessor
should be someone of high standing, with a significant legal background, and
"seen to be independent of the military". Mr Fraser welcomed the
Government's move, but wanted to know who the assessor was and what the terms
of reference would be before offering a firm opinion. He said having watched
commissions of inquiry into police corruption in New South Wales and Western
Australia, it was important the inquiry head had the power to compel
testimony. The assessor would look
at information held by the Defence Force and other parties, including Mr
Fraser. Mr Burton said the
assessor would report to him and he would consult with the Attorney-General
before reporting to Cabinet. Any criminal offending that emerged would be
referred to the police. He did not know how
long the inquiry would take. Mr Fraser has compiled a dossier of about 300
complaints. Asked to comment on
people seeking to downplay the abuse, Mr Burton said he and the Government
had no tolerance for acts of violence and brutality that were "no more
acceptable then than now". Meanwhile, senior
criminal lawyer and president of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Peter
Williams, QC, warned against being too hasty with prosecutions. He said there was an
"extremely arbitrary" statute of limitations on prosecuting crimes,
particularly more serious cases. "You can be too
heavy-handed and it's not always conducive to the interests of justice
generally," Mr Williams said. |
