Office of Human Rights Proceedings
Media statement

13 November 2011

Concern expressed about private document obtained by media

The Director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings Robert Hesketh is seriously concerned a document relating to a complaint referred to the office, has been obtained by a media outlet.

The document is subject to legal privilege. The Office of Human Rights Proceedings can unequivocally state that the document did not come from within the office. As part of normal procedure the Director drafts documents about the case to raise with the complainant and the respondent. The role of the Director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings is to consider the legal issues. No decision has been made about the complaint.

The Director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings’ role is to consider the legal issues raised by the complainant and respondent. The complaint was referred to the office from the Privacy Commissioner.

The complaint is about information made public by Social Development Minister about a woman on the domestic purposes benefit.

ENDS