9. CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (National) Link to this
to the Attorney-General
Is he satisfied that the appointments process for the new coronial system has worked well; if so, why?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Attorney-General) Link to this
Not entirely; overall success was marred by the fact that one of the proposed appointees in Hamilton had to withdraw over an oversight in the process, for which she was not responsible.
Christopher Finlayson Link to this
Is not the truth of the matter that the process is a shambles and an embarrassment to the Government, because the Minister, having been rolled by backbenchers Marian Hobbs and Charles Chauvel, has had to back down from his petty and catty decision not to make Garry Evans a full-time coroner, and now offer him a temporary position?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
First of all, I bow to that member as an expert on pettiness and cattiness; there is no doubt about that particular fact. Secondly, I have not been lobbied by Marian Hobbs and Charles Chauvel. Thirdly, Mr Evans has been appointed as a relief coroner, because Judge MacLean has discovered there is a 1,900 case backlog, which shows how much the system needed changing.
Charles ChauvelWhat reports has he seen on whether those involved in the appointments process were satisfied with the outcome?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I have seen a report from the Napier coroner, Warwick Holmes, who was not appointed to the new, full-time position. He said: “You’re not hearing complaints from me or any other coroner of the appointments. What should be understood is that we endorse it, because we have been the people who have been collectively urging the changes.”
Christopher Finlayson Link to this
Will the Attorney-General now confirm that both the new chief coroner and the interview panel recommended the appointment of Mr Evans as a full-time coroner, and that the Attorney-General rejected those recommendations in his usual vindictive manner, much to the disgust of trade unions, Marian Hobbs, Charles Chauvel, the press, the legal profession, victims’ families, and, indeed, most of Wellington, and will he release that advice?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
No, I certainly will not. I would never release advice of that sort in relation to appointments. The member is falling into the same trap as the editor of the Dominion Post. Nobody was sacked. All current part-time coronial positions ceased, as the member should know because he participated, I assume, in the development of that legislation. One-third of the previous part-time positions became full-time positions. Many coroners were not reappointed. The new coroner for Wellington is a very outspoken person. The new coroner for Rotorua appeared on television opposing Government legislation.
Hone HarawiraKia ora, Madam Speaker. Tēnā tātou te Whare. Has the Minister read the comment from Rima Edwards, the Chairman of Te Rūnanga o Muriwhenua, who said that the Coroners Act “will mean that bodies may be held for up to 6 days before being returned to whānau for tangi; that should the implications be devastating, as we think they will be, then we think our community should up rise to a peaceful protest”; and what will he be doing to resolve the concerns of Māori and others in the far north about the fact that from next month on there will be no registered pathologist north of Whangarei?
Madam SPEAKERHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. May I ask the member whether he meant to say “coroner” not “pathologist”?
The issue really is that the primary question quite specifically relates to appointments. That supplementary question was quite broad. I do not know whether the Attorney-General would wish to make a comment anyway.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I have not seen those comments. I am concerned that there may be long delays. This is a matter that has been the subject of legislation since as long ago as the 1980s to try to improve matters in that regard. I would expect the new, full-time, professional body of coroners to be able to achieve, on average, faster results. The fact that 1,900 cases from the previous, part-time coronial system remain unresolved shows the need for change to that system.
Christopher Finlayson Link to this
What is more humiliating to the Government: Marian Hobbs rolling Rick Barker on funding for the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, or Marian Hobbs rolling Michael Cullen over the appointment of Garry Evans?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I hate to disappoint the member’s fantasy life but I have not been rolled by Marian Hobbs—much as I might wish I could be.