Coddington Deborah: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Coddington Deborah: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:619;Page:14884] 
6.  
DEBORAH CODDINGTON (ACT) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: Why did Corrections allow one of New Zealand’s worst child sex abusers Roy David Bailey to lead a fund-raiser for the Child Cancer Foundation without informing the foundation of his crimes and what other charities have been assisted by inmates without the charities’ knowledge? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 The department has supported inmates’ involvement in fund-raising events and charity work as part of their rehabilitation and restitution. However there are no rules around how these events are approved and organised and the information that is made available. While I support inmates being involved in charity work I do not think it is appropriate that a convicted paedophile is organising a fund-raising event for the Child Cancer Foundation. I have asked the department to develop a policy on inmate involvement in charity work. 
Deborah Coddington 
: Does the Minister think it appropriate that the Department of Corrections continues to state that there was no need for the Child Cancer Foundation to be advised that Roy David Bailey is one of New Zealand’s worst child sex abusers; if so why? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: As I said there has not apparently been need for a policy up until now but obviously this has highlighted a gap in the policy area. I certainly agree that if a charity wanted information it should be advised about the nature of the offences of the group of offenders involved. 
Rodney Hide 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was quite specific. It asked the Minister whether he thought it was appropriate that the Department of Corrections still holds the view that it did not need to advise the Child Cancer Foundation. The Minister’s response was to say that there is a policy hole and that if the foundation asked then it should be told but the specific question was whether the Minister thinks it appropriate that the department should keep the charity in the dark. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister answered that in the last sentence. I heard him quite clearly. 
Deborah Coddington 
: Can the Minister tell us what specific policy those dangerous criminals have acted under and have been encouraged by the Department of Corrections to solicit money from the public for charity; and can he tell us whether inmates get that work considered when they apply for parole? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: In answer to the second part it may be taken into account. In answer to the first part I point out that inmates have been involved in a whole range of charity issues for example helping in flood relief in Wanganui and other areas which I think many people support. They come forward often with ideas. But I think it is important that we get the policy around the arrangement—between the fund-raising event the people involved and the organisation itself—clearer and tighter and that is what I have asked the department to come back with a policy on within the next month. 
Ron Mark 
: How many more times will the Minister allow himself to be embarrassed in the House by the shoddy management practices of the Department of Corrections or is this clearly the new era of accountability that the Prime Minister alluded to when she came to power? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Hopefully not many more. 
Deborah Coddington 
: Will the Minister now apologise on behalf of the Government to the Child Cancer Foundation to members of Parliament and to the public who have been manipulated by Roy David Bailey with the approval of the Department of Corrections; if not why not? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I do not think an apology is appropriate. I consider the matter not to be appropriate and I will do something about making sure these kinds of things do not happen again. 
Rodney Hide 
: Was the Minister aware before it was put to him by the media that prison inmates were fund-raising in that way? If he was not aware would he expect to be informed of such activity going on in prisons? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I like I suppose all members of Parliament received a letter on this matter. From memory I think that letter came prior to it being in the media this morning. No I would not expect every individual thing that goes on in a prison to be brought to my attention. 
Deborah Coddington 
: I seek leave to table a letter from Roy Bailey seeking sponsorship. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.