Monday, 18 June, 2001 
 
Media Release 

JOHN NEWMAN TRIAL VERDICT

VIETNAMESE-AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY

COMMITTEE TO RESPOND...

A verdict on the John Newman murder trial could be delivered as soon as this week and in anticipation, the Vietnamese-Australian community has formed a committee to make an appropriate response. 

Members of Vietnamese-Australian community groups, religious organisations and elected representatives are members of this committee. 

At a meeting held yesterday, Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo was elected as one of its spokespersons. 

Cr Thang Ngo, apart from sharing the surname as one of the co-accused, Mr Phuong Ngo, is also the only Vietnamese speaking councillor on Fairfield council, where Mr Phuong Ngo was a councillor at the time he was charged. 

"Our prime concern is the negative impact of the Inquest and subsequent trials on the reputation of the Vietnamese-Australian community" said Cr Thang Ngo. 

"Frankly, we are disturbed by some of the sensational media reports in relation to this case the past. We appeal to the media to report the verdict with sensitivity.  

"An innocent verdict is just that, and there should be no niggling doubts or innuendo."

"If the verdict is guilty, we must remember we are talking about one individual case and should not be seen as a negative reflection on the hardworking, law-abiding Vietnamese community as a whole". 

Cr Thang Ngo will be available comment in relation to the verdict. 

ENDS 

Contact: Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo - 0410 33 88 33 (m)