William Theodore D'Arcy (born 31 July 1939) is a former Australian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. He held the Labor seat for Albert from 1972 to 1974 and represented Woodridge from 1977 to 2000.
Bill D'Arcy | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Albert | |
| In office 27 May 1972 – 7 December 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Heatley |
| Succeeded by | Ivan Gibbs |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Woodridge | |
| In office 12 November 1977 – 9 January 2000 | |
| Preceded by | New seat |
| Succeeded by | Mike Kaiser |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Theodore D'Arcy 31 July 1939 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
| Occupation | Teacher, Business consultant |
D'Arcy, originally from Brisbane, pursued a career as a teacher and business consultant before entering politics. His initial election in 1972 followed the death of Liberal MLA Bill Heatley, but he faced defeat in the 1974 election. He later returned to the Assembly in 1977, representing the new seat of Woodridge.
D'Arcy assumed various roles, including Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Sport, and Racing in 1987 and Deputy Leader of the Opposition from February 1980 to 1982. In August 1998 he became involved in public controversy regarding accusations of the sexual assault of children dated some thirty five years previously, while a teacher. Though original accusations were disproven, later complaints, established by a special police task force, led to his criminal conviction in November 2000.
Attempts to sue for compensation by two victims were not upheld in civil court proceedings. D’Arcy served seven years in prison, after which he was released on parole, and resumed living with his family. He has consistently declared his innocence, calling for an independent enquiry into the circumstances of his conviction.
A Milieu of Competing Principles and Interests edit
In August 1998, a controversy emerged in Queensland surrounding Bill D'Arcy, involving accusations of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1960s. The debate brought to light questions about the rights of the accused, media responsibility, police conduct, and factional disputes within the Labor Party.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]
Rumours circulated that D'Arcy, a Labor MP, faced potential charges related to alleged sexual offences against school children during his time as a schoolmaster. Additional claims suggested he impregnated a teenager, leading to the adoption of the child, though the woman involved later denied this. Independent MP Peter Wellington and Premier Peter Beattie called for D'Arcy's resignation, with Beattie citing health concerns.[4][11] The Liberal Party accused Beattie of politically motivated interference, while others urged caution in handling the allegations.[7][2]
Media and Legal Responses edit
The Australian, in a critical editorial, chastised Premier Beattie for responding to rumours before any formal charges were laid. The editorial argued that the premature disclosure could harm the rule of law and unfairly tarnish D'Arcy's reputation.[19] Despite concerns, The Courier-Mail, Queensland's prominent daily newspaper, publicly named D'Arcy, defended as being in the public interest by journalist Tony Koch and editor Chris Mitchell.[6][17]
Operation Paradox, a campaign advocating vigilance against sexual predators, further heightened public sentiment. Assistant Police Commissioner Ron McGibbon denied undue influence, though Marie Doyle, a colleague of D'Arcy, disputed this, claiming bias in the police's pursuit of D'Arcy's conviction.[13][20]
Police Misconduct and Inquiry edit
Allegations of police misconduct from 1988 to 1999, including the handling of pedophilia investigations, led to the independent Kimmins Report.[21]
Terry O'Gorman, D'Arcy's solicitor and President of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties, condemned the premature naming of D'Arcy, asserting it prejudiced a fair trial. Despite public discussions lasting two and a half years, D'Arcy was controversially convicted in November 2000.[16][15][22]
Questionable Trial and Criminal Conviction edit
In November 2000, D'Arcy faced trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court, resulting in his conviction on one count of rape and seventeen charges of sexual assault on children. The incidents were alleged to have occurred in the 1960s while he worked at Yalleroi School in Queensland. He received an eleven-year jail sentence, later increased with three more convictions. D'Arcy, maintaining his innocence, refused treatment related to his convictions. His second parole appeal was granted, leading to conditional release with restrictions on contact with minors.[23] [24][25]
Compensation Rejected by Civil Court edit
In June 2002, two victims sued D'Arcy for $500,000 in the District Court of Queensland, mirroring the criminal trial grounds. Judge H W H Botting denied compensation, citing the difficulty of ensuring a fair trial due to the passage of time.[26] [27]
Post-Release Discourse edit
D'Arcy's release in 2007 did not quell discussions. In 2008, a coalition sought a pardon, which was denied by the Bligh Government. In 2009, a proposed Liberal National Party meeting to examine the potential miscarriage of justice was canceled by party leader Lawrence Springborg, distancing the party from D'Arcy.[23] [28] [29] [30]
On 13 November 2011, D'Arcy asserted his innocence, claiming a case was built to prove it. Queensland Attorney-General Paul Lucas dismissed these claims with contempt.[31]
References edit
- ^ "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ a b "ALP Backbencher soon to face child sex abuse charges". Courier Mail Newspaper. 29 August 1998.
- ^ "Sex MP Crisis". The Sunday Mail. 30 August 1998.
- ^ a b "Child sex shock: scandal threat to Beattie Govt". The Sunday Mail. 30 August 1998.
- ^ "Beattie raises pressure on MP to quit". Courier Mail Newspaper. 1 September 1998.
- ^ a b Koch, Tony (1 September 1998). "Media has a duty to Victims: What Terry O'Gorman said". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ a b Roberts, Greg (1 September 1998). "Child-sex claims rankle Qld Labor". The Age Newspaper.
- ^ Parnell, Sean (2 September 1998). "Lawyers Kit of fool police". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ Braithwaite, Heidi (2 September 1998). "Call for MP to resign". The Reporter.
- ^ "D'Arcy Backed". Albert and Logan News. 2 September 1998.
- ^ a b Morley Peter, Peter (2 September 1998). "Premier Hit over D'Arcy Actions". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ "Media's duty to promote Awareness". Courier Mail Newspaper. 3 September 1998.
- ^ a b Sommerfield, Jeff; Sands, Judy (3 September 1998). "National Leader defends D'Arcy". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ "Action on MP child sex claim". Gold Coast Bulletin. 3 September 1998.
- ^ a b White, Eugene H. (3 September 1998). "Protest on principle". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ a b O'Gorman, Terry (5 September 1998). "Issue of naming rights". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Chris (5 September 1998). "Media's reply should be aired". Courier Mail Newspaper.
- ^ Messenger, Dally. "Bill D'Arcy – carpet bombing and hysteria = wrongful conviction". Dally Messenger III, Social Integrity - civil celebrants -Politics and Current Affairs. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ^ "Rule of law poor second to politics"(editorial), The Australian, Tuesday 1 September 1998
- ^ Doyle, Marie. "Marie Doyle defends fellow teacher Bill D'Arcy". Dally Messenger. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Kimmins, J.P. "Inquiry into Allegations of Misconduct in the Investigation of Paedophilia in Queensland: Kimmins Report" (PDF). Criminal Justice Commission 1999. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Premier 'deceit' over ex MP's sex case". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 January 2000.
- ^ a b Dickinson, Alex. "Former Labor MP served seven years for child sex offences". Courier Mail. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ Klotz, Suzanne: "Ex-MP to Stand Trial for Rape, Molesting"; The Canberra Times, 22 January 2000
- ^ Oberhardt, Mark; "Judge Blasts D'Arcy Delay"; The Courier-Mail, 14 March 2002, p.7
- ^ Wilson, Marshall; "D'Arcy assault victims sue for $500,000", The Courier-Mail, 2 February 2002, p. 4
- ^ Botting, Judge HWH, DCJ: In the Matter of Applications in matters numbered 861 of 2001 and 864 of 2001, District Court of Queensland, Brisbane Registry, 21 June 2002, pp. 40-41
- ^ McKenna, Michael (21 January 2009). "Liberal National Party backdown on sex offender". The Australian Newspaper.
- ^ "Psychological Services around the world". Travis Gee. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ McKenna, Michael; "Liberal National Party backdown on sex offender": The Australian, Canberra, 21 January 2009
- ^ Michael McKenna, "D'Arcy's New Bid to Clear his Name", The Australian, 13 November 2011.