POLICE CORRUPTION IN VICTORIA - AUSTRALIA

KENNETT GOVERNMENT OUT OF CONTROL - NEW KENNETT CORRUPTION BOOKS TAKE MELBOURNE BY STORM

On Friday 6 August 1999 Victoria Police visited the Printers of two newly published books at Maryborough in Victoria in an apparent attempt to seize the entire print run. Report Page 5.

NEWLY RELEASED VICTORIA POLICE CORRUPTION BOOKS SUBJECT OF ATTEMPTED SEIZURE BY VICTORIA POLICE AT THE BOOKS' PRINTERS AT MARYBOROUGH, VICTORIA - NEW KENNETT CORRUPTION BOOKS TAKE MELBOURNE BY STORM.

On Friday 6 August 1999 Victoria Police visited the Printers of two newly published books at Maryborough in Victoria in an apparent attempt to seize the entire print run. The attempt apparently failed as thousands of copies of such books had already been distributed throughout Australia both in hard copy form, on the internet (Extracts) and on C.D. "WBNC (Whistleblowers Network Committee) questions the motives of the Victoria Police and apparently the Victorian Government to suppress these publications after they have already been widely distributed, tabled in at least one State Parliament and just before an impending State Election." "It is timely to note that there has never been a satisfactory proper public explanation of the cases and surrounding circumstances of whistleblower Karl Konrad or Mr Mehmet Mick Skrijel in which senior Victoria Police were allegedly involved in serious impropriety". "The latter case also involved the National Crime Authority". "WBNC calls for a full public Inquiry into the circumstances of the Victoria Police visitation to the Printers premises of this publication forthwith".

The books "Victoria Police Corruption" and "Victoria Police Corruption - 2" have almost sold out since first going on sale last Tuesday. Both books contain a series of new and highly damning allegations against Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett and a number of other high profile people. According to Kotabi Publishing's sales manager the most books sold within hours of hitting the bookshelves. It was suggested that this may in part be due to the titles, the striking covers on the books and the fact that the first of the pair features a prominent photo of Jeff Kennett surrounded by money, with an adjacent photo of money changing hands.

On Wednesday last week, Kotabi publishing put a full-time driver on the road to deliver boxes of books to shops and yet demand remains unsatisfied and it appears that many shops won't be able to get books before the first print run is sold out. The books which total 1,536 pages contain sensational new allegations in a wide range of areas. These include new allegations of illegal activity by Jeff Kennett, serious corruption allegations against the Victorian Commissioner of Police, made by a respected fellow officer and based on a series of tapes the officer made covertly, as well as a raft of allegations against other members of the Victorian government and Police.

To guard against defamation actions, Kotabi publishing sought written responses from all adversely named in the books and these were printed in the books. On July 2 this year, the entire page proofs of the books were tabled (leave granted) in the NSW Parliament by Richard Jones, MP of the Upper House. At the time Jones tabled the documents, it seems that no one had any idea of the explosive contents of the documents, (copies of the relevant Hansard included here).

Labor Party supporters have seized on the books as proof that independent studies of the Kennett government show it to be corrupt and unfit for government. However, it isn't all clear sailing for their side. The first book also delves into Opposition Leader Steve Bracks's past and alleges that deals have already been done by the Bracks side to break election promises already made.

Former Victorian Policeman Andrew Macgregor who wrote the foreword to the first book has called for a Royal Commission into the force in relation to material within both books, in particular a number of supposedly unsolved murders. He has been joined by a number of other serving and former Police officers. Another former NSW Policeman Mick Cottier, has described the two books as 'Investigative journalism at it's best'. There are too many things to summarise for a media release, however the books have been described as 'The Bible on Police and political corruption in Victoria'. Among the allegations is the case of the woman (here we'll call her KX-8 - here full name and details are in the book) who was under protection by the Victorian Police after she'd given evidence at the Wood Royal Commission (as witness KX-7). Instead of protecting her as promised, Police officers tried to rape her. Her complaints on the matter were upheld by the Ethical Standards Section (ESD), but they then failed to sack the offending Police.

Further Information: Kotabi Publishing: 03 9857-4664
Author Raymond Hoser on 0412-777-211 (all hours)
Or go to: http://www.smuggled.com/vrb2.htm for covers and other information.
RAYMOND HOSER, AAC,
PO BOX 599,
DONCASTER, VICTORIA, 3108,
AUSTRALIA.
MOBILE PHONE: +61 412 777 211
FAX: +61 3 9857 4664
E-MAIL: adder@smuggled.com

The above story was reproduced with the kind permission of The Strategy - Australia's quality newspaper. It originally appeared in the September 1999 issue.