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Independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie will refer an article by journalist Steven Drill in today’s Herald Sun to the Australian Press Council for investigation and has issued the following statement:
“Last Friday the 11th of September I was warned that the media was going to use my son to politically attack me and “goad” me into a response. I didn’t think that they would stoop so low. However I was wrong. The warnings were correct.
Today, using the excuse of allowing my son to have his say, the Herald Sun has exploited a young man who is in a very vulnerable and dangerous situation. For commercial and possibly political reasons, the Herald Sun has manipulated my son’s circumstances.
And in doing so they have either deliberately or unknowingly interfered with his medical treatment – and his ability to receive timely legal advice. On the day that the journalist and photographer from the Herald Sun met with my son and interviewed him, (Friday 11th) my son had an appointment to meet with two workers from Teen Challenge – Ice rehab and Detox specialists – as well as a barrister.
My son failed to keep that appointment where arrangements were being finalized with medical professionals and the police in order to transport him to a Rehab Center on the mainland.
My son reached out to me at the beginning of last week and asked for help and because I was in Canberra – I contacted the experts at Teen Challenge http://teenchallengeqld.org.au who specialize in getting people medical treatment and into rehab.
A director of Teen Challenge traveled from Launceston to Devonport and met with my son last Monday.
Tuesday afternoon my son signed papers presented to him by a director of Teen Challenge which allowed the medical and legal process for his rehab to begin.
Wednesday my son returned home in preparation for the meeting on Friday where his acceptance into a Rehab program in ether WA, QLD or NSW was going to be finalized.
I believe that between my son returning home on Wednesday 9th of September and Thursday evening 10th of September when he left my house – my son was contacted by Journalist Steven Drill from the Herald Sun who flew to Tasmania to conduct his interview in person on Friday 11th of September.
There are many questions that need to be answered by the journalist – but one fact is clear, when Mr Drill conducted the interview, my son was vulnerable, drug affected, with diminished capacity and officially part of a drug rehab program – having signed official documents two days earlier.
I will now refer journalist Steven Drill to the Australian Press Council for investigation to see whether he has breached any professional, ethical and legal standards or codes of conduct.
I want to know why my son decided to stop his rehab process after speaking to Mr Drill?
Through my staff, I have asked the Herald Sun journalist to provide me with a full transcript of his interview with my son, whose life is not only in danger from the drug he’s addicted to, but also the people who supply and make it.
Unfortunately the journalist refuses to comply with my request. He also refuses to explain why he held onto this information about my son for at least 24hrs – and only approached my office less than 2 hours before his Sunday paper’s deadline?
These are matters I hope the Australian Press Council will take up on my behalf. In the meantime I will work closely with the professionals at Teen Challenge, my legal advisors and the police in order to help my son beat his addiction and put his life back together.
This week I will attend Parliament and keep working there to ensure that all Australian parents have the right to involuntarily detox their children.
Early intervention and rehab for drug addicted young people must be guaranteed right now. That way other Australian parents will be saved the heartache my family is forced to experience – because of a drug called Ice.” said Senator Lambie.
• Rob Messenger: Herald Sun Reporter Compromises Senator’s Son’s Rehab
