QLD: Star witness cleared of contempt then swears on Buddha

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
QLD: Star witness cleared of contempt then swears on Buddha

The star witness in the Queensland electoral rorts inquiry LEE BERMINGHAM and the ABC
have escaped contempt charges over a radio interview aired last week.

Before starting his evidence at the inquiry, Mr BERMINGHAM was cleared of a contempt
charge by chairman TOM SHEPHERDSON.

Mr BERMINGHAM then claimed blanket privilege to avoid prosecution over his testimony
and proceeded to swear on Buddha.

The contempt threat had been made by lawyers for Queensland Labor MP MIKE KAISER against
Mr BERMINGHAM and ABC journalist WAYNE SANDERSON over a interview last Friday.

In the interview Mr BERMINGHAM had labelled as ridiculous earlier denials by Mr KAISER
that he was unaware of branch stacking when Labor secretary.

But MR BERMINGHAM claimed he was unaware he was going to be asked about Mr KAISER's
evidence in the interview.

He said was taken by surprise and probably answered the question foolishly.

AAP RTV ap/sc/klw/jn

KEYWORD: STACKING INQUIRY (BRISBANE)

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