26 Jun 2018

Future Labour events will have safeguards, Henare says

6:59 pm on 26 June 2018

Youth Minister Peeni Henare has expressed hope a court case relating to the Young Labour summer camp scandal will help bring parents "peace of mind".

Peeni Henare

Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The Labour Party came under fire this year after four teenagers complained they'd been sexually harassed at a Labour youth camp in Waihi in February.

A 20-year-old man has now been charged with four counts of indecent assault and is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on 5 July.

Read more about this:

  • Explainer: Young Labour summer camp controversy
  • Mr Henare, who attended the camp in his capacity as a Labour MP, said the police had followed the correct process.

    "The police were called in, allegations were made and I think the right process has been followed."

    He hoped the results of both the court case and Labour's review into its handling of the matter would strengthen civics, he said.

    "I hope that it ... gives parents like myself peace of mind that when we send children to kaupapa, whether it's a political or school event, that they're going to be safe."

    The review, authored by the senior solicitor Maria Austen (formerly Berryman), was expected to report back soon, but has been delayed for about a month.

    Mr Henare said the onus was on the organisers as well as parents to ensure events were safe.

    "I'd expect that any event from now on into the future will take into account that you've got clearly a young group of people - and so all the safeguards that I'd expect as a parent should be in place."

    He hoped the events didn't discourage young people from engaging with and getting involved in politics.

    "The youth Labour camps - they're a forum for young people to get politically involved and get engaged in politics. I'd hate for them to go."

    In a statement, Labour president Nigel Haworth said the party backed the police decision to lay charges, but would make no further comment now the case was before the courts.

    Acting Labour leader Kelvin Davis said he was pleased the police had made an arrest.

    "And now it's before the courts ... and that process has to play out," he said.

    Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters also declined to comment, saying the matter was "sub judice".

    The term sub judice means "under judgment". The fundamental rule states that a person can be punished for publishing material which could prevent a fair trial.

    In the wake of the scandal, Labour's leadership apologised and said they had "failed in our duty of care".

    The party temporarily suspended all youth events and banned alcohol at any events attended by anyone under 18.

    Changes were also made to the way Labour events were held, including having a "senior member of the party" at all Young Labour events, once they resumed.

    Labour general secretary Andrew Kirton last week revealed he'd resigned to take up a senior position with Air New Zealand in August.

    Mr Davis said Mr Kirton's departure had nothing to do with the review or the recent arrest.

    "I rang Andrew Kirton this morning and he told me it was entirely coincidental. He's got another opportunity that he's pursuing."

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