PRESS RELEASE Libertarianz Party Health

Torture revelations 'shocking'

Libertarianz health deregulation spokesman Richard McGrath said New Zealanders will be horrified by the contents of former High Court judge Sir Rodney Gallen's report on the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit.

"I want the government to name the official who tried to block the media reporting what Sir Rodney had to say. And I want the government to explain why they want the facts of this case suppressed," he added.

"The public have a right to know the details of how these unfortunate children were tortured and terrorised by the State. They have a right to know the identity of the persons who administered unmodified shock therapy to children, without consent, and for conditions not amenable to ECT therapy. Why? Because it was taxpayer money that paid for it all."

"My party's policy is to cease the medieval practice of forcibly removing from society those people whose behaviour we find difficult to understand, locking them away out of public view, and then shocking, drugging or lobotomising them in the so-called 'national interest'."

"Patients with mental illnesses - if indeed such conditions can be said to exist - do not automatically forfeit their right to equal treatment before the law, which includes the right to be left alone unless their actions harm others."

ENDS

Dr Richard McGrath * Libertarianz Deputy Leader Phone 025 2300 868 * Fax 06 377 3070 * mcgrath@no-income-tax.com

It's Enough to Make You Vote Libertarianz! www.libertarianz.org.nz www.libz.org

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