Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Ministerial Inquiry To Be Held Into Ellis Case


Media Release
Hon Phil Goff

10 March 2000


MINISTERIAL INQUIRY TO BE HELD INTO ELLIS CASE

The retired Chief Justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum has been asked to undertake a Ministerial Inquiry into Mr Peter Ellis's case, Justice Minister Phil Goff announced today.

"I want to emphasise that it is extremely rare for further inquiry to be conducted into matters that have been considered by the Court of Appeal. However, in this case the Court itself indicated that there were matters that might be more appropriately addressed by an inquiry of this kind."

Peter Ellis twice petitioned the Governor-General for the exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy, in 1997 and again in 1998.

As a result the case was referred back to the Court of Appeal. In its subsequent judgment, the Court indicated that in its opinion no miscarriage of justice had occurred in Mr Ellis's case. However, the Court also commented that there were matters that might more appropriately be the subject of further inquiry. The Court was unable to resolve all matters fully because of the form in which some of the evidence was presented and the nature of its appellate role.

Following this judgment, Peter Ellis petitioned the Governor-General for a third time in October 1999, requesting a pardon and a Royal Commission of Inquiry into his case.

"I have asked Sir Thomas Eichelbaum to look into the matters that the Court of Appeal indicated it could not appropriately consider," Mr Goff said.

"In particular, I have asked Sir Thomas to identify current best practice for investigating mass allegation sexual abuse cases, and to determine whether these practices were followed in Mr Ellis's case. I have also asked Sir Thomas to seek the opinion of at least two internationally recognised experts in the area."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"I recently met with representatives of the crèche children's families. I understand and sympathise with their concerns. The need to minimise the distress for the crèche children was one of the key factors that influenced the shape of the inquiry. This was why I have established a Ministerial Inquiry and not a Commission of Inquiry. A Ministerial Inquiry is more flexible, more low key and more discreet. It is also likely to be speedier and much less of a burden on the taxpayer."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.