[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - PM Howard must reveal details of discussions with Exclusive Brethren

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 26 September 2006

PM Howard must reveal details of discussions with Exclusive Brethren

Prime Minister John Howard must reveal whether he discussed special
concessions for the Exclusive Brethren with respect to schools and
industrial relations, and their support for coalition parties in state
or federal elections, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Tasmania, Christine Milne, questioned the delay in
the Prime Minister's disclosure that he had met Exclusive Brethren
members. 

"Once it was clear that the Exclusive Brethren intervened in the 2004
federal election campaign in support of the coalition and against the
Greens, the Prime Minister was asked whether he had met with the
Exclusive Brethren and the policy issues they had discussed," Senator
Milne said in Hobart.

"In response to a Freedom of Information request of 13 September 2005,
the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet said: 'No records of
correspondence with persons identifying as representatives of the
Exclusive Brethren or records of meetings between the Prime Minister and
representatives of the Family First Party or the Exclusive Brethren were
located in the department.'

"Then, when asked directly in Budget Estimates hearings in October 2005
as to whether the Prime Minister had met with representatives of the
Exclusive Brethren, if so, when and for what purpose, the government did
not answer until 22 September 2006 - almost a year later and only five
days before the Prime Minister's public admission today.

"Why did the Prime Minister take so long to admit to meeting with the
Exclusive Brethren and why is he so reluctant to say what they
discussed?

"Given that the Exclusive Brethren paid for print advertisements
throughout Australia in support of the Howard government in the 2004
federal election campaign - We are happy John - and wanted so badly to
'fly beneath the radar' so as not to be identified, the community
deserves to know the detail.

"Did the Prime Minister discuss industrial relations laws and how the
Exclusive Brethren might be exempted? 

"Did the Prime Minister discuss the ongoing Commonwealth funding of
Exclusive Brethren private schools?

"Was the Prime Minister made aware of the Exclusive Brethren's intention
to fund a campaign in support of the government and to attack the
Greens?"

Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562


Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au