Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2001
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Les Kennedy

GAGGED BY INQUIRY: BOY 'DRUG RUNNER' IS READY TO TELL ALL

A 17-year-old boy was gagged from giving evidence to a parliamentary 
inquiry into drug and policing issues in Cabramatta yesterday.

He was prevented from talking for his own protection as a minor and because 
the inquiry could not protect him from defamation.

The boy, known only by an alias of "James", wanted to recount his 
experience in teen gang drug-running activity in the area from the age of 
11 until 18 months ago when he finally got free of heroin, he told the 
Heraldlater.

But before James could utter a word at the hearing, the seven-member 
committee, headed by Independent Upper House MP Mrs Helen Sham-Ho, agreed 
it would take his submission only in writing.

The teenager, the first youth claiming to have been active in drug dealing 
in the area to seek to give evidence to the committee, was told by Labor MP 
Mr Ron Dyer that the "Community Consultation" hearing in Cabramatta was not 
subject to privilege of Parliament.

Mr Dyer ruled that to hear evidence from the youth without the protection 
of privilege "would imperil the young person" and the "integrity of the 
hearings".
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom