Fed: Vanstone to explain to parliament Clark's suspension

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2004
Fed: Vanstone to explain to parliament Clark's suspension

The federal government will today reveal to parliament why ATSIC chairman GEOFF CLARK
has been suspended.

Indigenous Affairs Minister AMANDA VANSTONE will table her reasons in both houses of
parliament, her spokesman said.

Her spokesman says Senator VANSTONE's reasons will also include the letter from Mr
CLARK explaining why he thinks he shouldn't be suspended.

Any MP or Senator will then have 15 sitting days to move a motion disallowing the suspension.

But since such a motion would need the support of both houses, government domination
in the House of Representatives would ensure its failure.

Senator VANSTONE last month renewed Mr CLARK's suspension pending his Victorian Supreme
Court appeal against a conviction for obstructing police during a pub brawl in Warrnambool
in 2002.

That appeal might not be heard for months.

AAP RTV rmg/sb/swe

KEYWORD: CLARK (CANBERRA)

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