[Greens-Media] CORRECTION: President of the Australian Bar Association says the free use of Kirribilli House for the Liberal party should have been disclosed

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

**Correction to Stephen Estcourt QC**

Sunday, 17 June 2007

President of the Australian Bar Association says the free use of
Kirribilli House for the Liberal party should have been disclosed

Greens Leader Bob Brown has released the opinion of senior barrister
Stephen Estcourt QC on the Prime Minister's 'gift' of the use of
Kirribilli House to the Liberal party.

Senator Brown sought the opinion of Mr Estcourt last Friday. Mr
Estcourt's opinion is attached. Mr Estcourt is currently President of
the Australian Bar Association, the national representative association
of barristers in Australia. 

"Mr Estcourt's opinion, like that of barrister Bret Walker SC released
by the Labor party on 15 June, indicates that the Australian Electoral
Commission was mistaken in its findings last week. Prime Minister Howard
is required to disclose his gift of the use of Kirribilli House the
Electoral Commission. That there may have been failure to disclose the
use of Kirribilli House, contrary to the Electoral Act, in the past is
no excuse," Senator Brown said.

"I will furnish the Prime Minister and the Australian Electoral
Commission with Mr Estcourt's opinion and ask the AEC to re-examine its
findings on this matter. I will also ask the AEC to release its earlier
opinion from the Solicitor-General," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown will be available for comment on Mr Estcourt's opinion at
the press gallery boxes later this evening between 5.30 - 6pm 

(Senator Brown's media advisor will ring the bell five minute before the
doorstop).

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au