Key should reprimand Smith for allowing staff to listen in on conversation with sexual abuse survivor

Prime Minister John Key should reprimand ACC Minister Nick Smith for his attempts to bully sexual abuse survivor Louise Nicholas, Labour’s Victims Rights spokesperson Lynne Pillay says.

“Dr Smith today initially denied having bullied Louise Nicholas when she sought to make a time to meet with him to give him T-Shirts detailing the abuse members the Courageous Women’s group had suffered and their concerns about the National Government-introduced ACC guidelines,” Lynne Pillay said.

“Bizarrely, after having denied bullying Ms Nicholas, Dr Smith then tabled an email which clearly showed that he had allowed staff members to listen in on his private conversation, and that staff members had then emailed John Key’s office about the phone call.

“Louise Nicholas has confirmed Dr Smith never informed her he was allowing staff members to listen in on the phone call and that she was indeed bullied.

“Why were staff members from John Key and Nick Smith’s office having email conversations about the phone call that was made to Louise Nicholas if there was no problem?

“It is simply unacceptable for Nick Smith to contact someone about concerns they have on sexual abuse guidelines and secretly allow other people to listen in. This is disgraceful

“National’s guidelines on sexual abuse have resulted in a rapid increase in the number of sexual abuse survivors being denied counselling support by ACC. The Minister has consistently refused to acknowledge the problem and now he is bullying people who legitimately try and raise concerns with him.

“Labour calls on John Key to take action against Dr Smith and his unacceptable behaviour,” Lynne Pillay said.

ENDS

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