Prime minister ‘completely unaware’ of ex-minister’s child sex abuse allegations
Sunday, 15 September 2024
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says National had no idea about any allegations about former National Party minister Anthony “Aussie” Malcolm.
Stuff earlier revealed that Malcolm was being investigated by police at the time of his death.
It’s understood he was the subject of multiple complaints of historical child sexual abuse, dating back as far as the 1980s.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he was “completely unaware” of any historical allegations of child sexual abuse against former party minister Anthony “Aussie” Malcolm.
Malcolm, 83, died recently in Whangārei following a short illness, his family said on Thursday.
Stuff revealed on Saturday that Malcolm was the subject of multiple complaints of historical child sexual abuse, which police were investigating at the time of his death.
It’s understood the investigation was launched as a result of matters raised during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
The allegations against Malcolm are thought to date back as far as the 1980s. The complainants were boys aged under 16 at the time.
The National Party earlier said it was unaware of any allegations against Malcolm.
On Sunday, Luxon said he was “completely unaware” of the “very serious allegations”.
“I am aware that they're being investigated through the appropriate channels which is good news. But I'd also just say for anyone who has any further information to talk to the police about that,” he said.
'My message through the abuse in state care right from the beginning has been come forward with your stories to police and in this case these are serious allegations they're going to be investigated by the right channels, but importantly I encourage anyone to come forward to the police.'
In response to a series of questions about the investigation on Friday, police said as a result of the Royal Commission of Inquiry recommendations they were considering how to manage and investigate new historical complaints of abuse in care.
“Police will not be speaking about individuals or their cases, and survivors need to be assured we will treat each investigation confidentially and with the care and attention it deserves,” a spokesperson said.
A member of Malcolm’s family earlier declined to comment.
Private investigator Clinton Bowerman said he was an advocate for several people who’d made complaints to police about Malcolm, and had supported them through the Royal Commission of Inquiry.
He said they were “somewhat overwhelmed” by the news of his death.
“We confirm the situation is developing and people may come forward publicly in the near future with more information,” Bowerman told Stuff on Friday
Malcolm served in the Muldoon Government, working as a Cabinet minister with varied portfolios - including railways, health and immigration.
He had come to Parliament after training as a social worker and then ran an advertising company.
Born in Australia, Malcolm moved to New Zealand as a child and attended Wellington College where his classmates nicknamed him 'Aussie“. The name stuck with him his whole life.
In 1975, Malcolm defeated Labour’s Mike Moore to win the Eden electorate for the National Party, a seat he would hold for three terms.
On Thursday, National Party president Sylvia Wood said Malcolm had shown huge commitment to Aotearoa.
“It is always challenging for the families of politicians but the legacy Aussie has left on our Party and New Zealand is a testament to the sacrifices they, and Aussie made,” she said.
Malcolm’s political career came to an end in 1984, when Labour reclaimed the seat in a landslide election.
His work as a director of New Zealand’s first America’s Cup campaign saw the team secure the largest sporting sponsorship of the time, bringing in millions to fund the team.
Although Sir Michael Fay later took over management of the Kiwi campaign, Malcolm was instrumental in assembling a team of yacht designers that included Bruce Farr, Ron Holland, and Laurie Davidson, to create the world’s first fiberglass 12-metre yacht.
Malcolm remained involved in yachting, and was a member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for more than 40 years.
He also went on to pursue a diverse range of business ventures.
He founded the immigration consultancy Malcolm Pacific, and co-founded the country’s biggest diving company, in Northland, Dive! Tutukaka. The dive company became a key asset for Northland’s growing tourism industry.
His business interests extended across manufacturing, medical insurance, aquaculture, and yacht building.
Malcolm is survived by three daughters, a son, and six grandchildren.
His wife, former Auckland City Councillor and interior designer Astrid Malcolm, died in 2000, aged 58.