Sunday, March 11, 2001

 Media Release

The Upper House Inquiry into Police resources in Cabramatta, which resumes tomorrow, has the full confidence of the Cabramatta community said Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo.

"During the past week, I have consulted extensively with many local residents and community groups from many backgrounds including those from Vietnamese, Chinese, Burmese, Thai, Croatian, Khmer and of course English speaking backgrounds" said Cr Thang Ngo.

"And they offer their universal support for this Inquiry".

"Today, I have written a letter to the chair, The Hon Helen Sham-Ho to express the community’s support in writing".

Cr Ngo says the community does not back the Police Minister, Mr Whelan’s call to shut down the Inquiry as a result of embarrassing revelations by witnesses and in particular Detective Sergeant Tim Priest.

"The Minister is alone on this, he is not speaking for the community which overwhelmingly wants the Inquiry to continue" said Cr Ngo.

"The Cabramatta community offers full support to the Inquiry and look forward to the final report which might help our people".

Cr Thang Ngo is a Cabramatta ward councillor on Fairfield Council and its only Vietnamese-speaking councillor.