When a hearing committee of the media union's National Ethics Panel found Four Corners and journalist Sally Neighbour committed a breach of the journalists code of ethics in a report involving a controversial former policeman, Roseanne Catt spoke out.
Peter Thomas was the policeman involved in her case. "This arose out of Four Corners doing an investigation into Peter Thomas's activities. This program was not only about me, it was about what this creep (Peter Thomas) did to many innocent people and just how he destroyed their lives." She said.
The three-member Medial Entertainment and Arts alliance committee headed by Nine Network journalist Hugh Riminton heard a complaint by Peter Thomas, the former NSW detective involved in the notorious Catt case.
Four Corners had appealed against the May ruling with Neighbours demanding an immediate withdrawal of the finding and an apology for the slur against her.
She told media "The finding against me is wrong". "I am amazed that a so-called ethics panel would simply accept the word of a witness like Peter Thomas without bothering to establish the facts. When it does I am sure the finding will be over-turned.
The Four Corners team was made up of Sally Neighbours producer, Lyn Buckfield researcher, Linda Larson researcher and many others on their team. As a result they did a very comprehensive and accurate program called "Burned" on the 23rd of October 2000.
The Sydney Morning Herald's Wendy Bacon ran an article at the same time. It was after this program that there were many complaints from the public re my incarceration by this Thomas. The new Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, did a comprehensive overview of my matter and said, "He felt they may have got it horribly wrong".
I have subpoenaed all documents pertaining to the Four Corners program for my inquiry. There is no audiotape material, as Peter Thomas stated to the Media Union's National Ethics Panel. This was another lie. He also stated he was misled and he did not know who they were, meaning ABC Four Corners personnel. That is a load of rubbish as Four Corners had made many attempts to speak to him. It was Thomas that, in fact, invited Sally to the beer garden where she spoke to him. Yes she was having this meeting video taped. Who wouldn't when you are talking to a creep like this? There is no law against photographing or videotaping anyone. She did not audiotape him.
The National Ethics Panel heard the appeal last week and a decision is pending.
Thomas came to public attention in the early 1990's as the policeman who arrested Rose-ann Catt, the Taree woman who was later found guilty of trying to kill her husband Barry, in order to take over his smash repairs shop. Catt accuses Thomas of being part of a conspiracy against her with the now ex-husband. She was freed in August 2001 and an inquiry into her case is under way.
Thomas left the police Force and began doing insurance investigations in Queensland including arson cases. In October 2000 Four Corners aired a program on arson insurance investigations called "Burned", that was highly critical of him.
Thomas accused the Four Corners crew of behaving unethically by arranging to meet him in a cafe without declaring who they were and filming and audiotaping without his permission.
Roseanne said, "Is it right for him to give the media untruthful, misleading, bias material which he has done on numerous occasions. As recent as the 7th of February 2003, whilst he was giving evidence at this inquiry, he gave the Daily Terror journalist Peter Laylor, an article written by him (which I have) which was published. As a result of that article, he has been referred back to the Supreme Court by the acting judge, Davidson for contempt of court and, hopefully, perjury.
The Ethics Committee found the program served the public interest. Which is more than you can say about Peter Thomas I suppose. But it added, "We do have reservations about the methods used." It found that "on the balance of the fact available to us", Neighbour's claim she did not begin audiotaping Thomas until she told him he was being recorded. It also said that drawing Thomas to the cafe by "less than frank" means and filming him without permission did not pass the "how would I feel?" Test.
By Every Dog Has His Day 14 July 03
THE CHOOK: I suppose being nailed to the wall by a corrupt cop and jailed for ten years passes the "how would I feel? TEST!
Related:
Roseanne Catt Inquiry: Roseanne Catt's presentation:'Daily Terror'
We are most concerned about articles that have appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday, February 8, 2003, page 13. The article was written by Peter Lalor and again on Sunday 9 March 2003 written by Warren Owens.
The Roseanne Catt Trial
This case is fantastic! It covers ground that exposes the thorough erosion of so much that is good in our society - the issues themselves become clouded by disbelief knowing this has happened at all.
Govt restores legal aid in Catt case
The inquiry is examining claims the police officer in charge of the investigation into the attempted murder of Barry Catt may have framed Ms Catt.
New murder inquiry after wife jailed for decade
The Supreme Court has now heard the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Peter Thomas, did not order any tests on the liquids in question. Instead it was a friend of Mr Catt who sent the drinks to be tested.
Roseanne Catt update
Since writing this letter we have learned that the Attorney General is saying that the court matter that has taken eighteen months to prepare should be adjourned. In the meantime we wait and wait and wait until they say we can proceed. This is the situation just as we prepare to go to court on Monday 3rd February 2003.
"FREE(D) ROSEANNE"
It has been brought to our attention that today Legal Aid have formally advised Brock Partners, Roseanne Catt's solicitors, that they will no longer fund the Inquiry - at this most crucial time when her hearing is set for next Monday 3rd February.
Roseanne Catt Case
The case of Roseanne Catt starts On Monday 3rd February 2003 at 10 am in the Downing Centre Sydney before Judge Davidson. Almost daily I am hearing of threats, intimidation, bashings and contracts being put on people's lives who have come forward with evidence against these people. We will make sure that this terror is no longer tolerated.
Related Police Corruption Links:
NSW Ombudsman to probe police 'move-on' powers
The New South Wales Ombudsman will audit police records to determine if the controversial police "move-on" powers are being used fairly and appropriately.
NSW: More Police Force?
Police Minister 'open to ideas' to stop shootings? Or police Minister acting dumb? The New South Wales Police Minister says he will consider giving officers more powers if it will help prevent gun crimes.
Peace Welfare and Good Government? Or Corruption Lies and Good Capitalism? POLICE officers are not making arrests for fear they will be sued, as the force faces lawsuits demanding almost $100 million compensation for wrongful arrest, assault and malicious prosecution. Officers fear they will become personally liable for legal action if they make arrests said, The Police Association yesterday.
Police WarLords set to take over Sydney again
Police warlords are set to take over Sydney's suburbs because police are not being supervised properly.
Jailed man's conviction to be reviewed
The New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal will today review the conviction of a man, after claims in the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) last year that police planted weapons and faked suspects' confessions.
Rookies step up to ranks of Keystone-Cops?
Officers untrained in major criminal investigation are being posted to the state's elite body of detectives.
The inaugural Australian Police Summit
The inaugural Australian Police Summit (APS) will take place 18-19 June 2003 at the Australian Technology Park, Sydney. APS is Australia's only dedicated event focusing on all aspects of Law Enforcement and Policing.
NSW Police! Soothsayers or slayers? Strategy part 3 Permit denial
Part three: Refuse to grant a permit for another planned march because they manipulated the populist view. How? By exploiting your argument and eroding the public's confidence in peaceful demonstrations and by using the media to tell their lies, then using that as a weapon against peace.
Police violence fractures Peace movements?
The resolution also criticised New South Wales Assistant Police Commissioner Dick Adams for creating a threatening environment by mobilising excessive force for the protest.
No confidence in 'Force' when service is out the door
How are shopkeepers and service staff going to feel today knowing police are vulnerable to be attacked while serving customers at the counter of a police station?
Every dog has his day: Brammer resigns
The Police Integrity Commission found that Brammer, along with other senior police, had at times displayed a lack of support for the former police reform body, the Crime Management Support Unit.
MPs told of police corruption
Corruption and mismanagement are still entrenched in the NSW Police, and problems at the highest levels are "whitewashed", according to evidence given yesterday to a federal parliamentary committee.
Black Knight Moroney to give evidence?
Accusations about former high-ranking NSW policewoman Lola Scott's alleged failure to act against paedophiles have dominated a federal crime inquiry hearing in Sydney.
The NSW Police Force
The NSW Police Force has stopped production on its new movie Viking. Viking, showing in NSW Parliament House and in the suburbs of Sydney recently.
Crime victim group wants say in money allocation
A spokesperson from Justice Action Mr Brett Collins said, "Victims should be properly compensated regardless of the source and that is currently the law. The law says you don't need to find even the offender to get compensation. This is an attempt by the opposition to create a law and order issue-involving victims when there is in fact no issue!
Abolition of 800 year old double jeopardy law a crime
The 800-year-old rule prevents a person who's acquitted of a criminal charge from ever being re-tried for that offense.
When real safety is jeopardised in NSW
Perception of crime is still a problem in NSW, with a new Productivity Commission report showing the state's citizens feel less safe than most of their counterparts.
Call to Bronwyn Bishop's Federal Crime Inquiry
I call on Bronwyn Bishop to allow me to produce first evidence about police corruption and to be able to attend Parliament House Sydney without fear of conviction.
Australia: politicians should watch police
In Sydney yesterday the Opposition police spokesman, Andrew Tink, urged Federal Labor MPs to allow the public hearing of the claims, which include that senior police, the PIC and the Ombudsman's office were failing to investigate legitimate complaints of misconduct, including corruption in the police promotion system.
The community questions ICAC's slagging and fobbing you off?
The ICAC, Commissions, Ombudsman, Police Integrity Commission (PIC), and numerous Tribunals etc, are all arms of government set up as an insurance police for the government's 3 or 4 year election terms. In short they'll be out of office by the time you may be lucky enough to have your matter heard.
Who is bad?
Super Rat? M5? M11? K8? N2? So I trust that some people who, with the photos and guns guessed that a jury would quickly establish a case against a profiled person whom, you just had a picture and a history of. Common knowledge? The government knew their victims would take the blame. Not just chess in court, 'moving around the pieces', but 'putting false evidence, or not enough evidence before the jury."
2,500 crooked detectives? Or a corrupt Government?
Evan Whitton: Either two things occurred. If you said you didn't join the police force to extort money from working girls, your papers were marked 'not suitable for plain clothes' and you were sent back to uniform.
How to become corruption resistant in NSW
Don't trust those who cannot prove themselves with the little amounts of trust you give them. Just because they have a letter of perceived trust doesn't mean they can be trusted.
This is not how you eat 'antisocial behaviour'
Process corruption, perjury, planting of evidence, verbals, fabricated confessions, denial of suspects rights, a solicitor to induce confessions, tampering with electronic recording equipment, framing. Generally green lighting crime, and I say Murder, including the kids who overdosed on heroin. No doubt.
Black Knight - Long way to go home
In line with the current climate of police corruption and the demise of the reform unit set up by Wood, these facts ought to have been a good reason to leave Moroney out of the package as Commissioner.
Bob down and sniff my arse
These are serious invasions of privacy and draconian laws? Where are our democratic soldiers, the lawyers and the barristers who need to take on the government in the courts? Are they plastic? Or to busy feathering their nests? Or have they been cleverly purchased by this black government. Drug test police and politicians, and have the tests independently accessed.
Come in spinner? Or Come in sinner?
"You don't have, in my view very vigilant processes. I suppose it's akin to the problem of corruption within the police," he told the ABC radio. " People say there's corruption with the police (but) do you get the police to investigate problems within their own ranks?
Deeds
I am disturbed by Governments 'actions' in relation to shuffling the police service. Clive Small seconded into Parliament like a cocky in a perch. A breach of the fundamental Separation of Powers Doctrine does not in my view allow the thought of intervening, planning, or shuffling to stack the deck of our police service. The one that suppose to be autonomous according to Lord Denning. Where the Parliamentary Secretary can ask the commissioner of police to 'report' then sack him if he is not satisfied with such report.
Australia's Political Underworld...& their enforcers
The promotion of law and order means money to big business. Profits from insurance, security fixtures, patrol services and the like can only continue to grow if the perceived threat of uncontrollable crime wave escalates. In the past few months there have been many examples of the true nature of our blood thirsty politicians and their sinister attempts to spoon-feed a not so gullible public with their repetitious rhetoric.
Truth
Who is telling the truth? Well I guess Dr. Ed. Chadbourne or Mr. Peter Ryan may have the answer to that. Dr. Chadbourne sacked by Peter Ryan and more specifically in my view because he elected deputy commissioners Dave Madden and Andrew Scipione as the best men in the service in relation to his qualifications to make a recommendation in his capacity as human resources.That is if you believe that a Dr. can be corrupted.
Honesty
What is happening between the Police Service and politics is quite extraordinary at the moment. If stand over tactics don't work tell half the truth honestly and follow the example of sheep. Another word for it is sleaze, yeah. Another word for it is workplace harassment. Another word for it is bribing a Police Officer. Another word for it is misleading Parliament.
Tele Tales
Most people I know don't buy the Daily Telegraph. Why? Because of the lies and propaganda purported by them.
Lord Denning
Interesting how a member of the Police Board Mr. Tim Priest would hold grave fears for his safety from dangerous senior police but fails to name them or have them sacked. Rather Priest resigns as if he had no powers. Could that mean what he was saying is that the Governments are also corrupt?
Corrosive
Clive Small is Bob Carr's choice for the new Police Commissioner. It could only be the case considering his, Small's special appointment into Parliament House. Small who suffers from the little person syndrome is the ideal bend over boy who gets shuffled through his corrupt actions. Rolling the legal system for him after the fact, just like his predecessor Roger the dodger Rogerson.
Black Nexus
The Separation of Powers Doctrine is nowcontaminated witharangeofcolours, now leaving us with a black shirt on a once blue bridge that crossed that thin blue line. The 'Amery and Woodham show'.
Same boat
The Premier, Bob Carr, relies on a militia. A gang of bikies and our Police Service, to show all of us he is no murderer. He should be taken to the task along with his partners in crime like Clive Small to account for those people who like my self have been maliciously assaulted and who have complained, without any service and those who cannot speak for themselves who were murdered, like Terry Falconer. Terry murdered in custody.
Good Cop
Why have our democratic institutions broken down? It's not just the criminal justice system. The Anti-Corruption Network webmaster@anti-corruption-network.org exposes the same issues. A group of white-collar workers who say they have suffered as follows:
Dangerous
I refer to the Daily Telegraph article 22 March 2002 under the heading Priest quits advisory job.
Partners in crime - history!
Roger Rogerson, the old hero, who never faced a result in the Warren Lanfranchi, or Sally-Anne Huckstepp murders, was let off in my opinion when the New South Wales Government rolled the legal system (deciding what evidence to give the police prosecutor) to have the jury believe the illusion they (the Government wanted to create).
Police Chronology 1994-2001
View events in the NSW Police Force since the Wood Royal Commission began in 1994. 1994 May Justice James Wood is appointed Commissioner of the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service ('WRC').
