Nixon denies misleading bushfire inquiry

25 May 2010, 8:40 pm   -   Source: AAP/SBS
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Former Victoria Police chief Christine Nixon has strenuously denied allegations that she deliberately attempted to mislead the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. 

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Former Victoria Police chief Christine Nixon has strenuously denied allegations that she deliberately attempted to mislead the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

Ms Nixon, who now heads the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, last month came under intense pressure at the hearings to reveal her movements on February 7.

She admitted she had visited the hairdresser, met with her biographer and later dined at a pub with friends during Australia's worst bushfire disaster that killed 173 people and ravaged rural Victorian communities.

A leaked draft submission written by counsel assisting the commission published in the Herald-Sun newspaper on Tuesday reports that inquiry lawyers will argue Ms Nixon's evidence during her first appearance was calculated to mislead.

"I strongly reject the allegations that I attempted to mislead the commission," Ms Nixon said in a statement on Tuesday.

Leak 'gravely prejudices' arguments

"It is of serious concern that submissions that argue just one approach, and have yet to be put to the commission, have made their way into the public arena."
 
The commission is the appropriate forum for all relevant material to be submitted, she says.

"My submission, along with the state's response will be put forward for consideration on Thursday."

Victorian Premier John Brumby has ruled out ordering an inquiry into the source of the leaked submission he says "gravely prejudices" final arguments to be presented before the commission.

Mr Brumby reiterated his support for Ms Nixon and said he expected her to continue in her role as head of the Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.

But Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the former policewoman's position was untenable.

"I believe that it's almost impossible for her to deal with the communities that she has to deal with," he said.







 

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Your Comments

Mr

Cob - from Tungamah, 2 years ago

What's wrong with us - look at where we're at and what we've become, after a DISASTER like this... (Black Bloody Saturday)
I am totally ashamed of the people who we call our brothers and sisters, that have set out to destroy (circling for the kill) on two of our finest.
I am a volunteer and my tours go back to ash wednesday, 2003, 2006 and Black Saturday...
So Christine and Russell you have my full support...
It's in this job we don't get to pick and choose but where would the critics be if we did?

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