Fed: ATSIC's Robinson accuses Ruddock of intimidation

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Fed: ATSIC's Robinson accuses Ruddock of intimidation

By Linda McSweeny

CANBERRA, April 2 AAP - Australia's second most senior Aboriginal representative todayaccused Indigenous Affairs Minister Philip Ruddock of trying to intimidate him.

Mr Ruddock said both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) deputychairman Ray Robinson and chairman Geoff Clark could be suspended or dismissed if foundguilty of misconduct.

Mr Robinson is to face a Brisbane committal hearing on two forgery charges in July,while Mr Clark is appealing against convictions over a riot in a Warrnambool hotel lastMay.

He accused Mr Ruddock of sending Australian Federal Police to his office to intimidate his staff.

"This is about the fifth investigation he's called into me," Mr Robinson told ABC radio.

"He sends six federal police officers out there, he's trying to intimidate my staff,he's trying to intimidate the Aboriginal community, and he thinks that because I won'tbow down to what he wants to do, that he can intimidate me by all these investigations."

Both Mr Robinson and Mr Clark have launched a blistering attack on the government andmedia, accusing them of blaming ATSIC for every problem in Aboriginal Australia.

In a joint statement, they demanded an end to the blame game, saying ATSIC was madethe whipping post for the failures of government.

They also moved to quash suggestions a feud between them had made ATSIC unworkable.

"We are heartily sick and tired of media reports suggesting a bitter feud between usis making ATSIC dysfunctional. This is rubbish," they said.

"ATSIC is not dysfunctional. We have a number of political differences as do most mainstreampolitical leaders.

"We are able to put them aside and work together to deliver better outcomes for our people."

Mr Ruddock said he would not prejudge the matters being investigated, but may haveto look at the issue of misconduct.

"I may well have to look at the question of misconduct and whether it is misconductthat can lead to suspension and dismissal from the positions they hold," he told the JohnLaws radio program.

"And I am going to have to go through a natural justice loop to ensure that anythingthat I am considering they are aware of, and are able to comment on."

Mr Ruddock said Mr Clark should consider voluntarily stepping down.

"That's a matter that I think he should seriously consider and I have put that publicly,but the decision has to be his," he said.

The furore comes ahead of a review into ATSIC and its powers.

ATSIC has said it would cooperate with the review, but urged all elected members toreject any moves to strip ATSIC of its powers.

Mr Ruddock said he understood the men were under pressure.

"I mean the commissioners are under a lot of pressure, particularly the chair and thedeputy chair and that's understood," he said.

"If you've been charged with serious criminal offences and it's likely to affect yourlivelihood, I think you'd rightly be under a lot of pressure."

AAP rft/sb/ph/jlw

KEYWORD: ATSIC NIGHTLEAD