Posted on November 30, 2009
Some 250 detailed records of inquiries and interviews conducted by Department Families and Communities investigators, during their controversial investigation of foster carer Tom Easling, were not supplied to his legal team when subpoenaed, according to Member for Davenport Iain Evans.
The revelations follow a similar development when Mr Evans was told by the Government letters of complaint about the Special Investigations Unit, which he had in his possession, did not exist!
Mr Evans has also previously given the Government a copy of a different Ministerial document that was specifically identified and subpoenaed by Easling’s legal team but was said by the Government not to exist.
‘I’m flabbergasted and angered by this latest development,’ Iain Evans said.
Mr Evans said that in a progress report dated 21 June 2004 and after some 24 weeks of investigating a single complaint which had already been dismissed by specialist police detectives, the three Department of Families and Communities Special Investigations Unit investigators assigned to the case stated;
“The investigators have made substantial progress with the investigation and a total of 250 enquiries including home visits, interviews, telephone enquiries and enquiries on addresses have been made to date.”
They went on to say;
“Of the children and young people recorded in the placement files of Mr Easling, most have spoken highly of Mr Easling and others have said that they have held no concerns of abuse during their placement.”
“What happened to these evidentiary records of the 250 enquiries? These are records of what was actually said by the very children and young people who had been in Tom Easling’s care? Do the records still exist or were they shredded? Why were they withheld from Mr Easling, his defence team and presumably the Director of Public Prosecutions?” Mr Evans asked.
Mr Evans said that the loss was even more extraordinary given that Minister Weatherill had written to the Public Service Association (on 8.8.05) in response to other complaints about the Special Investigations Unit saying that:
“From an evidentiary perspective it is particularly important to the credibility and accountability of both an SIU and SAPOL investigation (sic) that interviews with children and the alleged perpetrators (carers, staff, volunteers) are conducted in a manner which will withstand the highest levels of scrutiny.”
Iain Evans has called upon the Premier to show leadership and establish a Royal Commission without further delay.