Katherine Rich National Social Services Spokeswoman

17 June 2004

Dyson: "I have checked the file" - yeah right

National MP Katherine Rich is pleased that Labour ministers seem to have recovered their memories about Labour's involvement in the Glenelg Health Camp complaints in 1989.

"For four months Ruth Dyson has been unable to find any information prior to 1993 about the complaints. Since May 17, she has said that officials were checking the archives.

"But now, only 24 hours after I accused Ms Dyson of covering-up the involvement of previous Labour cabinet ministers and she blamed National for not dealing with the Glenelg complaints, memories have been jolted and information has miraculously appeared.

"What a difference a day makes. Last month Ms Dyson told Parliament that 'despite extensive searching of the available records' she could not locate any correspondence prior to 1993. She declared to the House 'I have checked the file'.

"When she tabled numerous documents in Parliament today, she made it clear that she had not 'checked the file' and that any search had not been 'extensive' at all."

The documents revealed extensive correspondence on the allegations between 1988 and 1993 and disclosed Dr Cullen's involvement.

Mrs Rich said there were, however, some glaring omissions from Ms Dyson's mass tabling exercise that she needed to explain. Dr Cullen's ministerial directive asking the then Director-General of Social Welfare to get Judge Mason to peruse some 'disturbing features about some of the cases' was overlooked by the Minister.

The document was tabled by Mrs Rich (attached).

"Once again Ruth Dyson is being selective with her facts," Mrs Rich said.

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