Vic: Premier doesn't believe PM's version of children overboard
Victorian Premier STEVE BRACKS says he doesn't believe Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD hadno knowledge the children overboard claims were untrue.
Mr BRACKS says it's inconceivable that neither former defence minister PETER REITHnor Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK told Mr HOWARD there were doubts about the claims.
He says there was clear evidence that the claims were incorrect, and it's hard to believehow everything could circle around Mr HOWARD without him being informed.
Mr BRACKS has told Melbourne radio 3AW the public has a right to feel duped and connedover the affair, because the accounts of the event changed after the November 10 election.
Mr HOWARD has denied he received any information from advisers, senior ministers andbureaucrats that reports asylum seekers threatened to throw their children overboard aboat trying to enter Australia illegally last October, were untrue.
He told question time yesterday his senior adviser on foreign policy, MILES JORDANA,heard rumours the reports may have been inaccurate late in the election campaign, butdidn't tell the PM because the rumours were unsubstantiated.
AAP RTV ce/jlw/jmt/rt
KEYWORD: BOAT BRACKS (MELBOURNE)
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