Tuesday 9th May 2000
Richard Prebble
Media Release -- Justice

The Prime Minister’s speech in the House today shows her continuing complete arrogance for the inquiries currently underway into the Waitara shooting tragedy, ACT leader Richard Prebble said today.

“It’s the New Zealand constitutional convention for politicians not to comment on these types of incidents. This ensures that any enquiry is not influenced by political considerations. Today we have heard the Prime Minister, yet again, say because of the significance of this case and the public interest in it, the case would be reviewed by the Solicitor-General and Crown Law,” Mr Prebble said.

“Why? What makes this case more significant? The implication is she does not trust the police, Judge Jaine of the Police Complaints Authority, or the coroner. If the family involved do not believe the inquiries are fair, then they have a right of appeal and review in most cases.

In fact, the Taranaki media has reported the family is setting up a trust fund to pay for their own independent inquiry if they feel these three inquiries do not suffice,” he said.

“Like her own Minister of Police, I say to the Prime Minister that she should keep her comments on the inquiries to herself.

“What she must do is apologise to the Police, to the Police Complaints Authority, and the coroner for putting them under improper pressure. She should also call off the Solicitor-General and apologise to him for wasting his valuable time,” Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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