The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 1

AcGl THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER 1997 143rd Year No. 44,406 Victoria's best TV, radio and home entertainment liftout mm Art or blasphemy: Serrano's crucifix divides our city Andres Serrano says he cannot understand the fuss. All he wanted to achieve with his art was to get people's attention. It worked. Today, when the New York photographer arrives in Melbourne to launch two exhibitions of his work, he will walk into the most almighty furore over a piece of art that the city has seen in decades.

Not since Ron Robertson-Swann's sculpture Vault was parked in the City Square in the 1970s has one artist and his work caused so much distress and division. As the National Gallery of Victoria continues preparations for the weekend public opening of the Serrano exhibition, a Supreme Court judge will decide today whether Melburnians will be allowed to view the artist's most controversial work, Piss Christ (1989). Justice David Harper yesterday heard a submission from the Catholic Church for a ban on the display of Piss Christ, the photograph depicting a crucifix immersed in urine. During a three-hour debate, the church's barrister, Dr Cliff Pannam, said that the photograph constituted a common law misdemeanor of blasphemous libel. The Archbiship, Dr George Pell, was more impassioned.

In an affidavit before the court, he said: "Both the name and the image Piss Christ not only demean Christianity but also represent a grossly offensive, scurrilous and insulting treatment of Christianity's most sacred and holy symbol." Outside the court, more religious and community groups were adding their voices to the outrage. The Religious Alliance Against Pornography said images created by Serrano were morally repugnant and degrading to all people. But the National Gallery's director, Dr Timothy Potts, was unmoved. He said the church's The court battle Censor to consider -images The exhibition a tour The gallery's defence PAGE A4 The line between religion and art PAGE A15 Leunig'sview PAGE AM Artist in the storm Metro 1' move to ban a photograph on the ground of blasphemy was an antiquated concept in a pluralistic society. "Everyone has the freedom to form their own views," he said.

"What no one has the right to do is to stop Melburnians from seeing serious works of art." Mr Tony Kirkcaldy, whose Kirkcaldy Davies Gallery in South Yarra is also staging a Serrano exhibition, acknowledged that some of the works trod a fine line between art and obscenity. "It challenges our preconceived notions of what art is," he said. But attempts to ban it were extreme. The Premier, Mr Jeff Kennett, said the church, by taking legal action, was generating publicity for Serrano's work and giving it status it might not deserve. He advised those who thought they would be offended to "stay at home, see Rembrandt or have a game of Serrano himself expressed surprise at the reaction.

In an interview with The Age, he said: "I'm always kind of surprised when it does come up I'm certainly way beyond the hoopla surrounding Piss Christ. It's old hat, you know, and I wish people would forget about it." Mj Jiyez?" I "I'm always kind of iH! I'm certainly way pT3 hr.fp: beyond the hoopla surrounding iltJ. 3 Piss Christ. It's old hat, you yvH-'VlfV know, and I wish people would JV) forget about it." i Frr Andres Serrano (left), creator of 6 9 pss Christ (far left). "It challenges our preconceived notions of what art is" I rli II Davies III III I vwii oiivi vi tiiw minvaiuj vavivs Kirkcaldy Co-director of the Gallery, Mr Tony Kirkcaldy (right).

Records moved during inquiry By GARY HUGHES and GERARD RYLE, Investigative reporters Confidential records and files used by the Victoria Police's covert intelligence unit were removed temporarily from a secret headquarters during a 1989 ombudsman's' inquiry, according to information obtained by Vie Age. A former member of the Operations Intelligence Unit said that more than 100 files were taken out of the unit's headquarters in Daly Street, West Brunswick, hastily loaded into the boot and back seat of a car and driven to private addresses. The member said police feared that ombudsman office investigators would find that former special branch records, which were supposed to have been destroyed in 1983, were still being used. The former member said records and files were removed several times "when it was judged likely somebody (from the ombudsman's office) was going to "They existed, they weren't destroyed and "we had them," the former member said. "The cabinets were just emptied into boxes and driven off.

The files were taken off to people's homes." The records were also hidden from the then assistant police commissioner in charge of the unit, Mr Frank Green, who had been asked by the ombudsman to help establish whether they were still in use, the former member said. The unit's six covert operatives were ordered to stay away from the unit's office at times when the ombudsman's investigators were expected. The removal of the records during the ombudsman's investigation has been confirmed by The Age with separate sources still within the Victoria Police. A Victoria Police spokesman said yesterday that if such actions did take place, they would be contrary to police standing orders and appropriate action would be taken. "The allegation is a serious one and it is incumbent on The Age to produce documentary evidence to support it," he said.

The ombudsman's investigation was ordered by the then Police Minister, Mr Steve Crabb, after The Age revealed in August 1989 that index cards to thousands of secret files had been copied and kept when the special branch was disbanded in 1983. During the investigation by the then ombudsman, Mr Norman Geschke, searches of a number of private premises were carried out by his investigators using search warrants. But The Age has been told the Operations Intelligence Unit's West Brunswick headquarters was not inspected. The ombudsman, Dr Barry Perry, said yesterday he would view seriously any allegation that police had intentionally misled or taken steps to avoid having to give information to his office. "My view is that it would be quite improper for police, if the ombudsman was investigating a matter, to deliberately secrete or hide information or remove -information from the grasp of the ombudsman," he said.

Dr Perry said he had already ordered his staff to review the results of the 1989 investigation after The Age began publishing details of how the OIU spied on and infiltrated community groups, including bugging a meeting of civil liberty groups. He said it was within his power to reopen the 1989 investigation if necessary. He said he could also investigate complaints from people on whom police files had been kept, but they must first obtain their files under freedom of information channels from the police. PAGE A4: Reports. PAGE A15: Kenneth Davidson.

tributed to the traditional owners in royalties. Opponents said Australia faced international embarrassment, with the World Heritage Committee due to considen in December whether Kakadu's natural and cultural values should be listed as endangered. The Opposition's environment spokesman, Mr Duncan Kerr, said warnings and shortcomings identified in the environment assessment report had been ignored. He said the approval made a mockery of a statement by the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, three exporting uranium by 2000. Conservation groups say there will be no alternative but direct action if the court case fails.

Ms Virginia Young of the Wilderness Society said: "If political and legal avenues fail, then the Government will leave us with no alternative than to blockade construction of the mine at the appropriate time." Jabiluka is expected to earn $8 billion in exports over 30 years and add $6.5 billion to the GDP. ERA and the Government say 110 permanent jobs and 1500 indirect jobs will be created and $210 dis ject lo Energy Resources Australia complying with environmental, Aboriginal and safety requirements recommended by the. Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill. However, the project must still overcome a legal challenge by the land's traditional owners, the Mirrar people, set for hearing in the Federal Court on 16 December. They say the mining lease issued by the Northern Territory Government in 1982 is invalid as the Commonwealth owns minerals.

ERA must also win agreement from the traditional owners to change the 1982 proposal involving an open-cut mine with on-site processing to an underground operation with milling at the nearby Ranger mine. Ms Jacqui Katona, the executive director of the Gundjemi Aboriginal Corporation representing the Mirrar people, said Senator Parer had given the go-ahead without approval by the traditional owners, who say they signed the original 1982 agreement under duress. Ms Katona said preparations were under way to blockade development of the new mine, from which ERA hopes to be I JftataaV NORTHERN Wtf-vW TERRITORY. Zj Coach's job on hold after outcry Grunge may be Coles' Nirvana filter- weeks before his election that he could not see how Jabiluka could go ahead given the environmental considerations. Mr Howard said yesterday the project was given the environmental all-clear after examination.

It was a pro-jobs, pro-development decision "entirely consistent with the commitment we have to the Senator Parer said the mine would operate with the same safeguards as the Ranger mine, which had had no detrimental effect on Kakadu in its 18 years. PAGE C3: Fulcrum. FROM $995 and Govt Stat charges. By CLAIRE MILLER, Canberra Conservationists and traditional Aboriginal owners have threatened to mount a blockade on the scale of the Franklin River protests after the Federal Government yesterday approved the development of the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Kakadu National Park. The Resources and Energy Minister, Senator Warwick Par-er, said he had approved Australia's third uranium mine, sub I SAW FOOtlEfclS OFGfOHGB IN AWfl? Ati VtATVASMlVA in -me boarpkoom 'One thing grungers don't do at least they don't think they do is spend money.

They just want to hang out. Which is where Coles Myer sees big bucks. "Grunge malls are wonderfully exciting retail concepts that sell the stuff that all of us In the room won't wear," the chief executive, Mr Dennis Eck, said yesterday while unveiling a 26 per cent surge in Coles Myert full-year net profit to $336 million. PAGE CI: More report. mm by Um' -1 i nf BRAND NEW 1997 VS COMMODORES By CAROLINE OVERINGTON, Sydney The controversial appointment of Dr Ekkart Arbeit as head coach of athletics in Australia is almost certain to be overturned, after angry responses from the sporting community and public.

Athletics Australia announced yesterday that Dr Arbeit's appointment had been put on hold, pending a review. Dr Arbeit has' admitted knowledge of systematic doping of athletes in the former East Germany, where he worked as a track and field coach. The executive director of the Australian Sports Commission, Mr Jim Ferguson, said intense opposition to Dr Arbeit's appointment would make it extremely difficult for him to take the job. The head of the Australian Institute of Sport, Mr John Boultbee, agreed that it would be very difficult for Dr Arbeit to coach in Australia. The review will try to deter- I SAVE $7,050 AUTOMATIC By LEONIE WOOD Coles Myer has at last sniffed big bucks behind the teen spirit.

The retailer is planning a four-storey 'grunge mall" in the heart of Melbourne. If its heavily suited board a disused building next to Myer Melbourne will become grunge heaven, modelled closely, on 'the grunge mailt flourishing In the US. 1 But Itt at odds with Coles Myer's traditional mainstream shopping environment In music, grunge Is Faith No More, sUverchalr and Nirvana, and In clothes It's sports shoes, flannel shirts, and Rip Curl baggy shorts. They are Gen they are slackers, some eat burgers, others are determinedly vegetarian. They ride skateboards, enjoy body piercing, tattoos and video game consoles and hang around the malls In canvas sports shoes.

'Mali 'Muted CHOICE OF COLOUR 3 YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY INSTANT FINANCE APPROVAL FREE SAFETY AIRBAQ AIR CONDITIONING Dr Arbeit: admitted knowing about doping athletes. mine whether Dr Arbeit is indeed banned from coaching in his own country, as has been reported. It will also try to ascertain what, if any, roe he played in doping East German athletes. Meanwhile, the Western Australian coach who was shortlisted for the position, Tudor Bidder, remains interested In the job though he has since become head athletics coach in Britain. PAGES C19-C20: More reports.

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