Mr MILLS - 2007-10-10
On 22 June last year, you said: ‘We’ve got to be able to break through the fear and the shame and the silence we see about child sex abuse in our communities …’. Chief Minister, Tom E Lewis, Ben Helwend and Damien Anderson accused Bob Collins of committing sexual crimes against them. There are at least two other people who have given statements to police also claiming to be victims of Collins. There are indications that there may be many other victims. What steps have you taken to track down other possible victims so that we, together, can break through the fear and the shame and the silence in our community?
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call the Chief Minister, I am will seek some advice from the Clerk about the question. I will allow the question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am sure I can say that on behalf of everyone, we all feel deeply for the alleged victims who were going to go to court two weeks ago. The legal process has now finished because under our law, unless there is an accused, it is not possible to determine guilt or innocence when there is no defendant. That is the advice from the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions. If the Deputy Opposition Leader thinks that they are wrong, then I would like to know where his legal qualifications are.
As I said, I am advised that police and DPP did a very substantial and thorough job, and I believe they did, in identifying alleged victims. They put considerable work in. I have a lot of confidence in our police force. I hope that is shared in this House. I also have a lot of confidence in the work of the DPP and the court process that was to take place. I say to anyone who feels they fit that category of alleged victim to go and seek assistance through the Witness Assistance Service for counselling. There are legal mechanisms they can pursue. They can confidentially talk to the unit and seek the counselling that they may need.
Madam Speaker, from our point of view, that is the appropriate way to go now. It does not mean that we do not feel for those alleged victims, but the criminal legal process has finished.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The specific nature of the question was not addressed. The question was: what steps have you taken, Chief Minister, to address this matter? What steps have you taken?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, there is no point of order. As you are aware, there is a lot of latitude in the asking and answering of questions. The Chief Minister has answered the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call the Chief Minister, I am will seek some advice from the Clerk about the question. I will allow the question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am sure I can say that on behalf of everyone, we all feel deeply for the alleged victims who were going to go to court two weeks ago. The legal process has now finished because under our law, unless there is an accused, it is not possible to determine guilt or innocence when there is no defendant. That is the advice from the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions. If the Deputy Opposition Leader thinks that they are wrong, then I would like to know where his legal qualifications are.
As I said, I am advised that police and DPP did a very substantial and thorough job, and I believe they did, in identifying alleged victims. They put considerable work in. I have a lot of confidence in our police force. I hope that is shared in this House. I also have a lot of confidence in the work of the DPP and the court process that was to take place. I say to anyone who feels they fit that category of alleged victim to go and seek assistance through the Witness Assistance Service for counselling. There are legal mechanisms they can pursue. They can confidentially talk to the unit and seek the counselling that they may need.
Madam Speaker, from our point of view, that is the appropriate way to go now. It does not mean that we do not feel for those alleged victims, but the criminal legal process has finished.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The specific nature of the question was not addressed. The question was: what steps have you taken, Chief Minister, to address this matter? What steps have you taken?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, there is no point of order. As you are aware, there is a lot of latitude in the asking and answering of questions. The Chief Minister has answered the question.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016