NZ Herald
April 16, 2004
Government won't pay rape inquiry legal bills
NZPA
The Government will not pay the legal bills of those involved in police rape
allegation inquiries.
But the Dominion Post said today it understood the government may appoint
lawyers to help people giving evidence at a commission of inquiry into the
allegations. The commission will look at police handling of rape complaints
against serving officers.
Calls have been made for the Government to help meet the legal costs of women
who have come forward to the inquiry. Others likely to be involved are also
seeking help.
But Attorney-General Margaret Wilson said yesterday the Government could only
help in the inquiry, which was separate from police investigations into the
allegations.
"The commission of inquiry is not a court of law, it's not an adversarial
process to try and attribute guilt or innocence."
Legal costs already incurred by complainants and others involved had not been considered
as they were separate from the inquiry.
Two lawyers had been appointed to help the inquiry and they would also be
available for people involved, she said.
Another possible option would be to appoint another lawyer, independent of the
commission, to help those involved. The issue will go to Monday's Cabinet
meeting.
Ms Wilson did not think it was necessary for taxpayers to pay for people to
have lawyers sitting through the inquiry.
The commission was set up after Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas alleged she was
pack-raped in the 1980s by three police officers. Other rape allegations have
since emerged.
The hearings start next month.