Political parties do a valuable service to their country by bringing young people into politics. New Zealand's two main parties have been providing this service particularly well in recent years, as evidenced by the fact both now have new young leaders who have been in Parliament for a decade.
This does not excuse the misbehaviour at Labour Party "summer school" camps that has come to light. Like any organisation that arranges activities for young people, a political party must ensure those attending can be kept safe. But it would be a pity if these events become too politically risky to continue.
The questions being asked of Labour this week are important. Three 16-year-olds were indecently assaulted by a drunken 20-year-old. Why was alcohol available at a camp attended by 16-year-olds? What was done to stop his behaviour and to help those he assaulted? Should their parents have been told? Should the offences have been reported to the police immediately?
The party did not even tell the Prime Minister who was caught unawares at a press conference. Even when one of her ministers was told by one of the victims of the assaults, word was not passed to Jacinda Ardern, only to the party's general secretary, Andrew Kirton. It is unusual that a Prime Minister would not be quickly informed of an occurrence that could become public knowledge at any time.
It raises the question, what would this Prime Minister have done had she known of it weeks ago? Would she have insisted on a public disclosure lest she later be accused of attempting to cover it up? the time.
