Senator Jacqui Lambie
Senator for Tasmania
AUSTRALIAN SENATE
Shop 4/22 Mount Street PO
Box 256
Burnie TAS 7320
OFFICE: 03 6431 2233
EMAIL:
[email protected] WEB:
www.senatorlambie.com.au
FAX: 03 6431 3200
TOLL FREE: 1300 885 041

14 September 2015
The Australian Press Council
GPO Box 3343
Sydney, NSW 2001
[email protected]

To whom it may concern,

I wish to make an official complaint about the behaviour of Mr Stephen Drill, a journalist employed by News Limited.

Mr Drill conducted an interview that compromised my son’s medical rehabilitation, while knowing full well my son was vulnerable, affected by drugs and part of an official rehabilitation program.

My office and I had been warned that journalists were targeting my son for an interview in order to “goad” me into a response.

It is clear Mr Drill’s interview was motivated by malice and potentially political bias; his actions also interfere with journalistic standards and principles.

Journalists are required by the Australian Press Council’s general principles to avoid causing harm, distress or substantial risk to health and safety.

A journalist is also obliged to immediately cease contact with the patient once it is reasonably clear the patient is not adequately aware of what the contact involves and its likely consequences.

My son, Dylan Milverton, approached me on Monday, 7 September, seeking help for his drug addiction. On Tuesday , 8 September, he signed the relevant documents that allowed for the legal and medical process for rehabilitation to begin.

As a result he was officially a patient.

Mr Drill was required to immediately cease contact with Dylan once Mr Drill was aware Dylan was under the influence and therefore unaware of the consequences of his comments.

The interview also led Dylan to make the decision to not attend the rehab appointment on Friday 11 September – an important step he had wanted only days earlier, harming his chances for recovery and well-being.

Mr Drill led my son to make comments Dylan wouldn’t have normally made, causing harm to Dylan’s physical and mental health.

My office was contacted by Mr Drill initially by phone at about 3pm on Saturday afternoon in relation to a story about my son.

Mr Drill was asked to place his questions in writing (see attached 1) and I replied (see attached 2)

Mr Drill was asked repeatedly by my staff if he thought that the person he was interviewing was a vulnerable and competent person – he refused to answer.

The basis for my complaint is that my son would be in a rehab facility today if it hadn’t been for Mr Drill’s interview and subsequent media publications.

I look forward to your response.

Yours Faithfully,
Senator Jacqui Lambie
Senator for Tasmania
Rob Messenger for Senator Jacqui Lambie Senator for Tasmania