The Southland Times

Sex scandal prompts event rules

- Tracy Watkins

Tasman community because water shortages are a certainty and the cost of remedying these shortages is a further certainty,’’ he said.

In the absence of a dam there was ‘‘no Crown money, certainly no Provincial Growth [Fund] money’’.

Jones said the no decision by ‘‘political mannequins’’ reinforced the need for a reform of the three water services – drinking water, storm water and wastewater – including the potential aggregatio­n of local government water functions.

The review was announced by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta last year, and is in its second phase, looking at the management, service delivery, funding, and regulatory arrangemen­ts for water. Options and recommenda­tions are expected at the end of the year. Labour will put new parental consent and alcohol policies in place at future Young Labour events after a sex scandal.

A 20-year-old man is facing four charges of indecent assault after a police investigat­ion into allegation­s relating to a Labour Party summer camp in June.

Labour has apologised for its handling of the matter and Labour Party President Nigel Haworth said yesterday a report commission­ed after the Waitawheta Camp near Waihi in February had made several recommenda­tions, which would all be adopted.

The recommenda­tions include:

❚ a code of conduct to deal with issues including sexual harassment and sexual assault, alcohol, events and host responsibi­lity, bullying and complaint procedures;

❚ updated event registrati­on and parental consent and risk disclosure informatio­n requiremen­ts and forms to ensure compliance with current best practice and all legislatio­n relating to the care of minors at party-held events;

❚ ensuring at least one Labour Party representa­tive attend the entire event and be available throughout (to ensure compliance with safety and welfare expectatio­ns);

❚ the Young Labour Party should also nominate a Welfare Officer to attend all events;

❚ introducin­g a new, over-arching alcohol policy, formulated in consultati­on with expert external advice;

❚ introducin­g a new open complaints process to enable complaints to be received and responded to without delay and with the appropriat­e degree of specialist advice.

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