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New Zealand Parliament
May 13 2004
Questions for Oral Answer
Question 12
Deborah Coddington to the Minister of Health:
Why didn't she order an immediate independent
inquiry into the alleged abuse of children at the Glenelg Children's Health
Camp in the 1980s following the briefing on 28 October 2003 that her
officials provided for her as a result of my written questions?
Hon
Ruth Dyson (Minister for ACC), Acting Minister of Health:
For the same
reason that the Minister of Health did not in 1993 and 1995: there was
insufficient evidence to warrant an independent ministerial inquiry. The
police considered that the matter was a professional one, and not a criminal
one. A complaint was received by the Medical Council in 1995 regarding
professional practice issues, but it was later withdrawn. The doctor in
question is not currently registered to practice in New Zealand.
Deborah
Coddington:
Has she read British police surgeon Dr Herbert Kean’s report on the treatment
of children at Glenelg Health Camp, which concludes: “There is adequate
information to confirm sexual molestation with a degree of sadism, and
fabricated evidence of sexual abuse against fathers that subsequently the
welfare department separated the children from their families.”, and if the
answer is yes, why did she not order an immediate inquiry and end the 17-year
State cover-up of that affair?
Hon
Ruth Dyson:
There is no cover-up by this or any former Government in relation to alleged
abuse at Glenelg Health Camp. The police investigated at the time, and they determined
that there was no reason for a prosecution. Whether it was that there was
insufficient evidence for conviction or for whatever reason, the police
determined that. A complaint received by the Medical Council was withdrawn.
If that member has any new information to offer, I would be very happy to
take up the matter.
Katherine
Rich:
Since the Minister has mentioned 1993, will she confirm that Helen Clark
first received complaints regarding the treatment of children at Glenelg
Health Camp when she was Minister of Health, and will the Minister correct
her misleading answer to parliamentary question for written answer No. 7757,
where she indicates that the first complaint was received by her ministry in
1993?
Hon
Ruth Dyson:
I have looked very carefully at the very issue raised by the member in her
question, because I am aware that the alleged abuse occurred in 1987. The
first incident that is reported within the Ministry of Health system is 1993.
If that member can give me any information to the contrary - and I doubt that
she can - I will be very happy to correct that answer. On the best advice,
and with prompting, I say 1993 is the first information that is on record.
Deborah
Coddington:
How does the Minister respond to the obvious conclusion that there is a
double standard between men and women accused of the sexual abuse of
children?
Hon
Ruth Dyson:
I absolutely reject any insinuation of double standards between men and women
who abuse children. Any abuse of children is absolutely unacceptable to this
Government, and in my view to every member of this House.
Deborah
Coddington:
I seek leave to table official advice given to the Minister of Health on 28
October 2003, following my parliamentary questions.
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