Childhood Felony Disqualifies Man

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 8

Childhood Felony Disqualifies Man

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE, September 6. The Victorian Government has been called upon to introduce amending legislation to enable a 36-year-old wharf labourer to take his seat in the State’s Legislative Council (Upper House) which he was denied because of a childhood conviction for a felony.

The State Labour Opposition leader, Mr Holding, made the call at a press conference when he strongly attacked the decision of the Victorian Courtof Disputed Returns, which .ruled that Ronald William 'Walsh could not retain the | seat because or his conviction [for robbery with violence, a [crime committed when Mr Walsh was 16.

The court had upheld a challenge by the Victorian Government that the conviction disqualified Mr Walsh from holding office. Mr Holding said: “The unfortunate aspect of this decision is that it strikes at the whole concept of the rehabilitative function of the Children’s Court.”

Mr Holding said that offenders could go on to places of standing in commercial and other - fields. “But they cannot stand for Parliament by virtue of a conviction,” he said. The State Governmen should make the removal of the anomaly a top priority. After the court’s decision was announced, 1500 waterside workers walked off the job in protest, and stayed off for the rest of the day. Mr Walsh said that he would return to work on the Melbourne wharves next Wednesday. He would rejoin the

waterside gang to which he had belonged for the last 16 years.

“They are a very good bunch of blokes. I know they have been behind me all the way,” he said. [■ “I’m not bitter and I have [no ill feeling. It is something [that had happened. I only (hope the law is ehanged.”