Fed: PM says Port Hedland allegations matter for state police

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2000
Fed: PM says Port Hedland allegations matter for state police

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says sexual assault allegations against staff at the Port
Hedland detention centre are a matter for state police.

A senior staffer from Port Hedland in Western Australia, who accompanies illegal immigrants
home, is alleged to have systematically assaulted Chinese women in his care.

The allegation follows a stream of accusations of sexual assault at the Woomera detention
centre in South Australia and has promoted opposition demands for a full-scale judicial
inquiry.

But Mr HOWARD told Perth radio 6PR if the incident had happened, it was a breach of
the criminal law and a matter for the Western Australian police.

AAP RTV ss/daw/alt/jn

KEYWORD: WOOMERA HOWARD (CANBERRA)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.