Editorial: We're not responsible for siblings

Andrew Little. Photo / Glenn Taylor

I disagree with Labour leader Andrew Little's call to stand down a minister whose brother is facing indecency charges.

Mr Little compared it with the case of former MP Mike Sabin being kept on as chairman of the law and order select committee last December even after Mr Key found out he was the subject of a police investigation. Entirely different. That was the action of the MP himself. This is not.

Imagine what would happen if we were all responsible for our siblings' actions.

It doesn't matter what your profession, what your adult brothers and sisters do has no bearing on your own actions.

The Prime Minister has known about these charges since the beginning of April. He sought advice and made a decision.

This really shouldn't turn into a mud-slinging fight between left and right.

This is not the time to be point scoring.

What is important is the the alleged victim - the child.

There's been plenty of fighting talk between the parties but not much mention of how the family of the alleged victim is coping.

This is what the-powers-that-be should be focusing on.

Firstly, are they getting all the help they need?

Secondly, how can we stop these things happening to our children? Too often the victims get forgotten as the "big boys" slug it out.

Thirdly there are the alleged offenders.

They should be the one the limelight is on, not their brother and sisters.

I'm sure the family of the offender is going through enough without the entire nation waiting to see who is going to get the boot from cabinet.