The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 1

MDAY AGE 1 Silence te, I iir Dancing 0 a pain TV MAOAZINE golden AQENPA 6 tex. tSiF A Black Ij rage AGENDA 6" 'be Child porn network linked to Mr Cruel funitting9 Supporters of Senator Richardson express confidence he will be cleared of impropriety. Opposition to maintain attack on Richardson, Sibraa and Evans. Democrats split over leader's bid to "freeze" Richardson out A to be," he said. "I'm not going to assume anything until he's had an opportunity to consider the report and obviously talk to me about what be thinks of It." Senator Richardson conceded the task of clearing himself would be "pretty tough" because he had to prove that he did not have knowledge of Mr Symons' business affairs.

"I can demonstrate that I didn't know the creditors and I didn't talk to them and that I've never heard of any of the schemes that were mentioned in the paper. I can demonstrate that, certainly as far as the family was concerned, no one was told," he said. Mr Symons' five sisters and three brothers-in-law had offered statutory declarations Indicating that they were unaware Mr Symons had entered a part 10 arrangement under the Bank- at his Syciiy fwme yestewlay. He wiN I By Michael Gordon, national affairs THE position of Transport and Communications Minister Senator Graham Richardson has strengthened. Key supporters are confident he will retain his job and the Australian Democrats are split on moves to "muzzle" him in the Senate.

Senator Richardson yesterday vowed to "reveal everything" in his report to the Prime Minister, Mr Paul Keating, saying it could include statutory declarations from the five sisters of Mr Greg Symons, the businessman facing forgery charges In the Marshall Islands. The declarations would support his claim to have been unaware of Mr Symons' business history and voluntary bankruptcy when he signed last year a 1 reference for the businessman, who Is married to Senator Richardson's cousin. Senator Richardson also rejected suggestions that he should resign to quell the political storm that has engulfed the Keating Government in the past fortnight. "I'd have to say that I'm not heavily into self-immolation," he said in an exclusive interview with 'The Sunday Age'. As Senator Richardson worked on the report to be handed to Mr Keating on Monday, senior figures in the Government and the ALP remained deeply concerned over the fallout from the Marshall Islands affair.

Some now hold the private view that Senator Richardson should go in the interests of the Government. But Mr Keating is not under pressure from colleagues to dump the power broker of the party's New South Wales Right, and sources last night indicated the Prime Minister would stand by his minister provided he offered a strong defence In his report. Although Senator Richardson refused to pre-empt Mr Keating's reaction to his report, he said the level of support he had received from Cabinet colleagues and from caucus members across all factions had been "But I'm not going to presume what the Prime Minister's reaction Is going By Paul Daley and Caroline Wilson DETECTIVES Investigating the murder of Melbourne schoolgirl Karmein Chan have uncovered a child pornography industry operating in Melbourne which encouraged paedophiles and other sex offenders to trade information on future victims. The discovery has led police to believe that more than one person may be linked to Karmein's death and that she may have fallen prey to a group Involved in child pornography. Senior police sources told 'The Sunday Age' that Karmein's killer or killers videotaped schoolgirls who had been abducted and raped.

The detective in charge of the task-force investigating Karmein's murder, Detective Superintendent George Davis, said of the child pornography industry: "It's not widespread, it's very difficult to find and it's not hugely commercial. "You would probably describe it as' a cottage industry. It attracts an underground of paedophiles and child molesters, usually male, some of whom use it to trade information on future victims. "Some of the offenders seek out the material as a way of seducing their victims, to make their victims feel It Is OK to perform these acts. It also gives the offenders a feeling of mutual support: they are not alone in their actions.

It makes what they do seem (to carry) less of a social stigma." The Chan investigation has already led to more than SO arrests relating to child pornography, attempted extortion and blackmail. The Police Minister, Mr Mai San-don, said yesterday that bringing the killer of Karmein Chan to justice was the force's number-one priority. Pornographic material seized during the Spectrum investigation has led to the Government's decision to outlaw the possession of child pornography. Mr Davis confirmed that at least one key suspect has been interviewed while in a psychiatric institution. This week detectives told Victorian doctors that Karmein's murder was linked to an attack on a fourth girl in 1987.

It is the first time police nave released specific details about the killer's attacks on another schoolgirl. Detectives had publicly linked the-killer to two abductions before: Nicola Lynas and Sharon Wills, who were ab? ducted from their homes on 3 July 1990 and 27 December 1988 tively. "For the police Investigating there Is no let-up because we know he's going to do It again," Mr Davis1 said. Continued P3 Vit iu Htitl yntr fcittiK ran hr mlililiiHtftl nm ir twf ilrnl nf lin'tflliiii? parr. IiWniim thro rr mi niumfiii itml it itilcrr! it HiMil I'MM.

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CMVSSOV 890 0721 MCHEUS MOMOP where he is facing fraud charges. 1 Seratw RKhafdson flifef Vd had knowledge of the arrengement (f or Voluntary bankruptcy), I i Certainly wouldn't have signed the reference in the forth that I 1 sighed it. Senator Richardson INSIDE. Michael Gordon's column; The men behind Gregory Symons. 7: Symons' flair for failure.

1C: Editorial; Petty's view; SmaH Wonder. ESSENDON ruckman Paul Salmon suffered a suspected torn ligament yesterday, putting him in doubt for the Vtotorta-WA clash on 26 May. Report, Sport UttMrt 4) Hanging In there: Australian businessman Greg Symons in the Marshall Islands, Vreveal everything tomorrow. Despite lacklustre interest, the agents, Collins Sirams, were offered for the property. A later bid of H2MM failed to meet the reserve of M7MM.

There was discreet bidding among a crowd of about 12. Bob Aasett Joined Budget as chief executive la INS and by 1174 he managed to buy a personal stake In the company. By the ItMs Budget was at the top of the car-rental market The company was listed on the Stock Eichange as Budget Corp Ltd In INI hut then things went soar. Mr Ansett was made bankrupt In the wake of Budget's downfall. He has been working out of his home as a consultant aad public speaker since.

Auctions, World S. with scsttsflsd showers and tsot-scT Oonl wKh ootIoa shows. Mas, IS, Ifeliiiliiiiilil But Senator Richardson refused to concede that he had made mistakes in the affair, saying: "If I was sitting back In my office last June being asked to sign a reference, I'd still have signed It. "If I had known that there had been a business failure in which he had lost money at some point along the road, then that's no reason to not sign a reference because an awful lot of people have been in that position." But, he added: "If I'd had knowledge of the part 10 arrangement (for voluntary bankruptcy), I certainly wouldn't have signed the reference in the form that I signed it." Senator Richardson also defended his answering of questions on the issue in the Senate: "I would like the only test to be applied to be in terms of what I can remember and what I can say on my feet to be one of fairness. That is, to acknowledge that if you meet thousands of people and you see thousands upon thousands of papers in correspondence, you can't be expected to remember every detail." He expressed disappointment at what he described as Senator John Coulter's denial of natural justice.

Senator Coulter, the Democrats' leader, yesterday stood by his threat to make it impossible for Senator Continued P6 practice and mismanagement at the corporation would be a whitewash," he said. The police CIB report, leaked by corporation sources, criticised inadequate security, alleged the theft of valuable freight items, the abuse of cash advances and the "clandestine" sale of goods to corporation staff. Police claimed to have uncovered many thefts which the corporation had not reported. Items allegedly stolen Included car parts, power tools, alcohol, electrical goods and foodstuffs. The police report said: "I found it embarrassing to locate such obvious faults in security, general accountan-cy, personnel management, filing, accountability and conduct of staff." Continued P2 EXTRADITION BID The Philippines wants to extradite two Australians It alleges murdered an Australian security officer two years ago.

Report, P2 WORRY The says CSV effect PTC rorts: police call for inquiry Mrs Ansett beats Bob's bankruptcy Improve your home today. No repayments No interest until 1994. Trae! Mark Forbes, tata politics POLICE and the State Opposition have called for a full-scale Inquiry Into the Public Transport Corporation after an Investigation into its customer services and freight divisions alleged widespread corruption, theft and fraud. One senior corporation manager has already been charged with 21 offences, including making false documents and theft, after a police Investigation Into the customer services department and the Melbourne freight terminal. The Opposition's transport spokesman, Mr Alan Brown, has backed the call for a Inquiry.

"Anything less than a full, Independent inquiry into mal By Patricia Howard and Margaret Jakovac WIILE former rental-car boss Mr Bob Ansett is still suffering the i Ignominy el bankruptcy, hit wife, Joile, may make almost on the sale of tbeir family home. 1 According to! State Government document, Mrs Ansett purchased the North Carlton property, including the "guest hsuse" next door, from Mr Ansett's trustee of bankruptcy fsr only llM.Ht, on 24 April, 1M2. Mrs Ansett decided to sell the architect-designed, three-bedrotm home, with cellar and gymnasium, and the St Wilson Street property was auctioned Yesterday. VICTORIA: Coot, fc mm unmix OHO 'HID IMMOVF. VIHIR HOMK TOI1AV.

A1II IftTKIIKWr I'NTII. IWI. ON CHILDREN Council for Civil Liberties the 56 children detained In raids could suffer serious from the events. Report, Pi 'DEATH RATTLE' Gas and Fuel chairman Mr Keith Fltzmaurtce says public authority reform bungling is the "death rattle" of a dying 1 9 AKJennlngs Homeliiiprwcinents ffmnytmt Mmt ftnmimfi tmn. Nf Mlnplay Onlrr Oprolnp Sooa .12 Rutland Road, Boa Hilt.

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