Mr BURKE - 2005-03-22
By your silence in answer to my previous questions, it appears that you do support the deferral of court proceedings against a prominent Territorian charged with child sex …
Members interjecting.
Mr BURKE: You don’t? Well, how about explaining something to this House so we can get some information …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you know the rule about repetitious questions, so please ask your question that is not going to be repetitious.
Mr BURKE: Given that you must know the details of the ill-health of the accused, can you tell us what is so wrong with this person that would prevent him taking the stand for the next 12 months? Does his sickness include not only his physical wellbeing but also his ability to provide coherent answers and submissions to the court?
Mr Stirling: They are just a bunch of grubs.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, they are a bunch of grubs. I agree with you, Syd. I have made it very clear that I am neither confirming nor denying what I know of such matters. They involve private information about a person’s health profile which, quite clearly, has to be kept confidential. They also involve information regarding a process within our justice system. They are confidential matters; I am not going to talk publicly about them.
Madam SPEAKER: I remind honourable members of privacy legislation. We should not be discussing the health of individuals without their permission. We should also remember the sub judice rule when a case is before the courts. That is another warning.
Members interjecting.
Mr BURKE: You don’t? Well, how about explaining something to this House so we can get some information …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you know the rule about repetitious questions, so please ask your question that is not going to be repetitious.
Mr BURKE: Given that you must know the details of the ill-health of the accused, can you tell us what is so wrong with this person that would prevent him taking the stand for the next 12 months? Does his sickness include not only his physical wellbeing but also his ability to provide coherent answers and submissions to the court?
Mr Stirling: They are just a bunch of grubs.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, they are a bunch of grubs. I agree with you, Syd. I have made it very clear that I am neither confirming nor denying what I know of such matters. They involve private information about a person’s health profile which, quite clearly, has to be kept confidential. They also involve information regarding a process within our justice system. They are confidential matters; I am not going to talk publicly about them.
Madam SPEAKER: I remind honourable members of privacy legislation. We should not be discussing the health of individuals without their permission. We should also remember the sub judice rule when a case is before the courts. That is another warning.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016