Glenn Inquiry review: 23 recommendations made

Fri 19 Jul 2013

Heather Henare and Kim Workman have completed their review of the Glenn Inquiry processes for handling confidential information. In a media statement, ...

Heather Henare and Kim Workman have completed their review of the Glenn Inquiry processes for handling confidential information.

In a media statement, Kim Workman said, "We were asked to review the processes for the collection, collation, storage and evaluation of all confidential information, including that related to the interviews process, in the period prior to the departure of the former Director of the Glenn Inquiry and her deputy on 3rd June." Ms Henare said, "As far as we can tell from the information that was provided to us, there is no evidence that the personal information of persons interviewed during the Inquiry to date is unsafe".

Their report, together with 23 recommendations, was tabled at a meeting of the Inquiry board on 8 July 2013. The recommendations include:

That the Board be immediately strengthened in terms of sector expertise, gender, and ethnicity;
That the Think Tank be disestablished and a Sector Advisory Committee be established;
That the Board make enquiries as to the appropriateness of reframing the Inquiry as a research project, including taking it through an Ethics Committee;
That a Practise Manager be appointed, with in depth knowledge of the domestic violence/child abuse sector, to provide the CEO and the Board with sector advice, and advice on safety issues, information analysis, and report writing;
That the Glenn Inquiry website publish: (a) which recommendations have been accepted and which have not, (b) the timeline for implementation, and (c) regular progress reports on implementation.

The Executive Summary of the report is available on the Glenn Inquiry website.

On 19 July, Board Chair Bill Wilson said Owen Glenn was "considering his position" on the Inquiry.

Links to media on the Glenn Inquiry from 30 June 2013 can be found in earlier Clearinghouse news stories here and here.

Updates:

Rachel Simon-Kumar, a former member of the panels that interviewed women in the community and former member of the Think Tank, criticised the review carried out by Heather Henare and Kim Workman in the NZ Herald on 23 July 2013.

Former executive director Ruth Herbert and former operations manager Jessica Trask made a statement saying they disputed significant aspects of the review report and had not been given a right of reply.

NZ Herald reported that board Chair Bill Wilson said the Inquiry would continue with its remaining budget; the Think Tank would be disbanded and a 'technical advisory committee' be set up; and the board would seek new members to strengthen it in terms of sector expertise, gender and ethnicity.

Media:

'Glenn: I can explain payments from charity', NZ Herald, 12.08.2013

'Internal Affairs investigating Glenn charity', TV One News, 4.08.2013

'Glenn Inquiry review's credibility questioned', Radio NZ, 2.08.2013

'Investigation of Sir Owen Glenn's charitable trust being considered', TV One News, 29.07.2013

'Concern at charity payments to Glenn', Stuff, 28.07.2013

'Rachel Simon-Kumar: Glenn inquiry review basically flawed', NZ Herald, 23.07.2013

'Glenn staff: We got no right of reply', Stuff, 23.07.2013

'Glenn inquiry budget under squeeze', NZ Herald, 23.07.2013

'Glenn rethinking role on abuse inquiry', Radio NZ, 19.07.2013

'Adviser confident Glenn inquiry will go ahead' Radio NZ, 19.07.2013

'Sir Owen hit by 'a torrent of nasty publicity' – chair', NZ Herald, 19.07.2013