Report rejected

Press, 23 February 1978, Page 8

Report rejected

NZPA Sydney A report, into the activities of the New South Wales police special branch has been delayed for almost a month and is undergoing substantial revision, according to informed sources. One reliable source says the report, compiled by a New South Wales Government Privacy Committee executive member, Mr Bill Orme, has been virtually emasculated.

The report is believed to have concentrated on secret files kept by the special branch but also included illegal wire taps and other activities allegedly followed by the special branch.

The sources say the Privacy Committee rejected the draft report at its meeting last Friday. They say the committee was “largely unanimous” in its opposition to Mr Orme’s draft.

Concern is reported to have been expressed that terms in the report could be misconstrued if made public.

Members of the committee, which includes one representative from both the N.S.W. Parliamentary Liberal Party and the Labour Party as well as a number of academics, are believed to be worried about disclosure of certain aspects of the work of special branch given its role as a watchdog over possible terrorists and subversive activity.

Sources close to the committee say the draft is being heavily rewritten and some sections may be entirely removed.

The inquiry began last October, but was speeded up earlier this year following a row over the South Australian police special branch and the sacking of the South Australian police commissioner.