[Greens-Media] Govt rules out further probe of Hickey death

[Hans VanLeeuwen]

Govt rules out further probe of Hickey death
Media release - December 2, 2004

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has condemned the Carr Government's unwillingness
to pursue every avenue in getting to the bottom of T.J. Hickey's death
earlier this year, after Attorney-General Bob Debus flatly ruled out
reopening the investigation.
 
"This week I received a letter from Attorney-General Bob Debus saying
that he would not respond to fresh allegations raised at the State
Parliamentary Inquiry into Hickey's death," Ms Rhiannon said.
 
"Despite the alarming evidence the Inquiry received from the Aboriginal
Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs), Mr Debus is unwilling to pursue the
matter.
 
"The Greens will continue calling for a reopening of the Coronial
inquest to determine where the real truth lies and deliver justice in
this tragic case.
 
"Mr Debus has asked Police Minister John Watkins to review the
Parliamentary Inqiury's new evidence of police involvement.
 
"History suggests nothing will come of this. Police Ministers see their
job as defending police officers, not making sure they are accountable
for their actions.
 
"If the ACLOs testimony doesn't constitute fresh evidence that would
convince Mr Debus to push for a reopening of the Coroner's inquest, then
it's hard to imagine anything that would persuade him.
 
"Once again, the system has failed indigenous Australians. The sense of
anger and injustice is building in this community, and the Greens urge
the Government to act," said Ms Rhiannon.


Hans van Leeuwen
Media Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon
Tel: (61 2) 9230 3551
Fax: (61 2) 9230 3550
Mob: 0425 310 562
hans.vanleeuwen at parliament.nsw.gov.au