Coddington Deborah: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Coddington Deborah: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:617;Page:12925] 
12.  
DEBORAH CODDINGTON (ACT) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Why did she not 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 (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 A complaint was received by the Medical Council in 1995 regarding professional practice issues but it was later withdrawn.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 A complaint received by the Medical Council was withdrawn.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. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.