Azaria inquiry report leaked

Press, 30 May 1987, Page 8

Azaria inquiry report leaked

NZPA-AAP Darwin The Northern Territory Government must table the Morling inquiry’s report into the Chamberlain case as soon as possible now that it has been leaked to the news media, said a former Northern Territory Opposition leader, Mr Bob Collins, yesterday. Mr Justice Morling’s 308-page report was due to be tabled on June 9, but Mr Collins said the only humane thing to do now would be to make it public on Tuesday, the first available sitting day. Sydney’s Channel Nine news last evening said Mr Justice Morling had found in favour of Lindy Chamberlain, who was convicted of the murder of her baby daughter, Azaria, at Ayers Rock in 1980. Her husband, Michael, was convicted of being an accessory after the fact. Channel Nine said Mr Justice Morling had found there was enough new evidence to quash the convictions of both Lindy and Michael Chamberlain and had concluded there was reasonable doubt about their conviction. The two-volume report, the result of an inquiry lasting more than a year, did not say who or what killed Azaria. The Judge had made no recommendation on compensation and it was now up to the Northern Territory Government to decide if the Chamberlains'sere granted a pari don or any compensation.