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C M Y K
REVEALED: HOW THE PROMOTION OF A YOUNG FEMALE LAWYER

LAW CRISIS
HAS ROCKED TOP PROSECUTOR JEREMY RAPKE’S OFFICE

■ Lawyer quits in protest SHS 10-OCT-2010 PAGE

1 SECOND
10OCT

■ Secret letters revealed

■ Controversy undermining
prosecutor’s office
Under fire:
Top prosecutor
Jeremy Rapke JAMES CAMPBELL’S SPECIAL REPORT, PAGES 4-7
+
SECOND

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4 Sunday Herald Sun, October 10, 2010
+
EXCLUSIVE HOW THE PROMOTION OF A YOUNG
Turmoil hits the
POWER PLAYERS
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
FIRST
1 The state’s top prosecutor. He, or his office,
makes the decisions on all criminal prosecutions
in Victoria. His decisions include whether to
4
prosecute a case, accept a plea bargain or appeal
a decision.
SHS 10-OCT-2010 PAGE
2 THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
The OPP is the independent authority
responsible for preparing and conducting
criminal prosecutions in Victoria on behalf of
the Director of Public Prosecutions. It has over
300 staff.
3 CROWN PROSECUTORS
Crown prosecutors appear for the DPP
in criminal cases. They are therefore effectively
appearing on behalf of the Victorian public
to prosecute criminal cases.
SECRET LETTERS
C M Y K
JUNE 11 GAVIN SILBERT, DEPUTY DPP,
TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL ROB HULLS
F B 1 2 3
SILBERT HULLS
Tells the Attorney-General that he
is concerned about rumours that
three solicitors are to be appointed
associate Crown Prosecutors.
Warns that these three will be
“boycotted” and that “no solicitoror
would brief them”. Requests thatt
his views and that of the Solicitor
for Public Prosecutions be sought
before any appointments are made.
(Sources say Mr Silbert never received
a response from Mr Hulls)
+
THE BOSS: Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Rapke in his city office.
OPP sources who have seen three secret letters between Gavin Silbert, Rob Hulls and Jeremy Rapke –
correspondence sparked by this controversy – have provided details of these letters to the Sunday Herald Sun.
Phrases appearing in quotes are as they appear in the letters. The rest is a summary of the contents.
LATE JUNE
DPP JEREMY RAPKE TO SILBERT,
RAPKE SILBERT
Informs Mr Silbert about the
appointment of crown prosecutors
as well as three associate crown
prosecutors. Says he has learned
that Mr Silbert has contacted thee
an
Attorney-General and the Victorian
Government Solicitor, John Cain,
expressing concern. Says he
regards “your conduct to be grossly
disloyal to me” and an attempt to
undermine him in the eyes of
the A-G.
+
heraldsun.com.au
Lawyer
quits OPP
in protest
JAMES CAMPBELL
THE Office of Public
Prosecutions — the body
charged with prosecut-
ing our worst criminals —
is in crisis, with its boss
at war with his deputy.
The crippling rift was
sparked by Director of Public
Prosecutions Jeremy Rapke’s
decision to appoint an inex-
perienced solicitor to the im-
portant post of associate
crown prosecutor.
The Sunday Herald Sun has
learnt that Mr Rapke and
Chief Crown Prosecutor
Gavin Silbert, his deputy,
have barely spoken since July
when Diana Karamicov, a sol-
icitor in her late 20s, and two
other solicitors were made
associate crown prosecutors.
The sought-after job pays
about $140,000 a year.
The Sunday Herald Sun
first highlighted the appoint-
ment of Ms Karamicov on
July 11.
MID JULY Today’s reports — the cul-
SILBERT TO RAPKE mination of a three-month in-
vestigation — are based on
telephone and face-to-face in-
terviews with three high-level
lawyers inside the Office of
Public Prosecutions.
The senior sources have all
said independently they be-
lieve Mr Rapke has had an in-
SILBERT RAPKE appropriate relationship with
Ms Karamicov.
‘‘It is an inappropriate and
Mr Silbert asserts his right to communicate improper relationship,’’ one of
with the Attorney-General “without reference” the sources said.
to Mr Rapke. Says it was his business as he The row has claimed one
casualty, with one principal
had a statutory obligation to manage the solicitor quitting in disgust
appointments. Told Mr Rapke that he had from the OPP.
Stephen Payne, who left the
concerns that his relationship with Diana OPP six weeks ago, yesterday
Karamicov would become public knowledge confirmed he had resigned in
and cause the appointments to be regarded protest at the promotion.
‘‘The reason for my resig-
with “significant disquiet”. Warns Mr Rapke nation was the appointment
that his reputation with the OPP solicitors, of Ms Karamicov,’’ he said.
He refused to make any
crown prosecutors, bar and judiciary had been further comment.
undermined by his behaviour. Several senior judges are
believed to have privately
raised with Mr Silbert theStandard
* Standard
Standa S charges apply. Terms of use at ideasforgood.com.au
d SMS
+
heraldsun.com.au Sunday Herald Sun, October 10, 2010 5
+

LAWYER ROCKED THE VICTORIAN OPP

prosecutors

THE YOUNG LAWYER: Diana

Karamicov (circled) and Stephen Payne
THE DEPUTY: Gavin Silbert has not spoken to his boss for three months. in a photograph from the OPP’s annual report.

issue of the rift between the Rapke’s reputation in the and we have these three who He said that after interview-
two men in an attempt to re- legal community had been we can’t send there,’’ the ing the three candidates he
solve the issue. damaged by his behaviour. source said. ‘‘They can’t pros- had recommended the
This newspaper contacted His furious letter was ecute trials, they are just not appointments proceed.
qualified.’’

F B 1 2 3
the OPP communications prompted by an attack on him
manager on Friday requesting in an earlier letter from Mr A senior Opposition Late yesterday after-
an interview with Mr Rapke. Rapke accusing his deputy of frontbencher raised with Mr noon an adviser to Sol-
Phone calls were also made being grossly disloyal. Hulls rumours of the relation- icitor for Public Pros-
to Mr Rapke. The Sunday Herald Sun has ship between Ms Karamicov ecutions Craig Hyland
The paper briefly spoke to details of those two confiden- and Mr Rapke before her emailed a statement
Mr Rapke on his mobile tial letters, and an earlier one appointment. to the Sunday Herald
phone late Friday afternoon. Mr Silbert wrote to state Mr Hulls said yesterday he Sun.
He refused to answer ques- Attorney-General Rob Hulls. had put in place an indepen- She refused to answer ques-
tions. Mr Silbert declined to com- dent procedure to oversee tions about the allegations.
A detailed voice message ment yesterday. appointments by the DPP and ‘‘The Office is working well
asking him to respond to Three senior OPP staff have he had followed the advice he together, morale is good, cul-

C M Y K
specific allegations about his said they believe Ms had been given. tural change is taking place
relationship with Ms Karamicov and two other ‘‘In relation to appoint- and the OPP will continue to

STEPHEN PAYNE’S CV
Karamicov was left on his mo- staff promoted at the same ments I then put in place an work hard to ensure the peo-
bile phone’s answering ser- time are not qualified for the independent process that in- ple of Victoria have a modern,
vice. He has not responded. positions they hold and can- volved the Victorian Govern- innovative prosecutorial
The Sunday Herald Sun has service,’’ the state-
■ OPP senior solicitor, January
been unable to contact Ms
Karamicov for a comment.
The reason for my resignation was ment said.
2008-September 2009
‘‘The OPP is de-
A senior OPP source said
Mr Payne highlighted the
the appointment of Ms Karamicov veloping a career
■ OPP acting legal
structure where
appointment of Ms STEPHEN PAYNE some experienced prosecution specialist, September
Karamicov in an exit inter-

SHS 10-OCT-2010 PAGE

criminal law solici- 2009-February 2010
view before he left the office. not be trusted with running ment Solicitor to review the tors are trained as ad-
Mr Payne was reportedly complex jury trials. people that he had recom- vocates to move
angered because there was no ‘‘They are simply not quali- mended, to ascertain whether ■ OPP principal solicitor,
through to conduct
formal application process for fied — any of them,’’ the OPP or not they were appropriate matters otherwise con- February 2010-August 2010
the appointments. source said. as potential appointees, and I ducted by barristers.
In mid July, Mr Silbert Senior OPP staff have also got a report back from them Some elements of the SOME OF THE CASES HE’S
wrote to Mr Rapke telling him warned that the OPP’s sex of- indicating that each of the legal profession are resist- REPRESENTED THE OPP IN
he was worried the DPP’s re- fences unit — a pet project of people nominated were ap- ant to this innovation.’’
lationship with Ms Karamicov Mr Hulls — has been im- propriate and on that basis I Opposing bail for the son of
would become public know- perilled by the appointments. proceeded,’’ Mr Hulls said. murdered crime figure, Macchour
ledge and cause her appoint- ‘‘The sex offenders unit is in Victorian Government Sol- PROTEST: Ex-OPP Chaouk, Des “Tuppence” Moran’s
ment to be viewed with ‘‘sig- danger of falling over because icitor John Cain contacted lawyer Stephen Payne at a
nificant disquiet’’. there aren’t enough barristers the Sunday Herald Sun yes- murder, the savage bashing of
He also told his boss that Mr to rotate in and out of there terday. Bourke St café last week. doctor Mukesh Haikerwal
Picture: IAN CURRIE

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6 Sunday Herald Sun, October 10, 2010
+
EXCLUSIVE HOW THE PROMOTION OF A YOUNG
Rapke
fights for
victims
JAMES CAMPBELL
SINCE becoming Director of
Public Prosecutions in 2007,
Jeremy Rapke has repeatedly
clashed with the judiciary over his
public comments on sentencing.
He has also angered senior legal
FIRST
figures with calls for the scrap-
ping of committal hearings and
his public attacks on the adminis-
tration of justice.
Two years ago, Mr Rapke was
6
publicly rebuked by Chief Justice
Marilyn Warren after he revealed
SHS 10-OCT-2010 PAGE
he had phoned judges to ‘‘coun-
sel’’ them over insensitive re-
marks they had made to victims
of crime.
‘‘The role of the DPP is to pros-
ecute criminal cases, indepen-
dently, not to counsel, supervise
or criticise judges in private dis-
cussions,’’ Ms Warren said.
At the time, prominent criminal
barrister Robert Richter, QC,
accused Mr Rapke of running a
popularity contest and political
campaigns in the media.
Mr Rapke had also called for
the scrapping of committal hear-
ings and for harsher sentences for
drug crimes, a stance that
prompted Mr Richter to attack
him for acting like a ‘‘media lob-
byist’’.
C M Y K
Educated at Wesley College
and Monash University, Mr
Rapke has been a barrister since
1974 and became a Queen’s
Counsel in 1999.
His family has a strong tra-
dition of public service.
His grandmother, Julia, was a
prominent feminist and civil
rights activist early last century,
while her son, Trevor — Mr
F B 1 2 3
Rapke’s late father — was also a
Queen’s Counsel and later a
judge of the County Court.
Like his son, Judge Rapke was
not afraid to make his views
known and in his time was said to
have antagonised some members
of the judiciary by criticising their
remoteness from society.
Despite his public dressing
down from Mr Richter, Mr Rapke
has not backed away from his
stances on sentencing.
In August, Mr Rapke again
upped the ante in his war with the
judiciary, announced a campaign
to pressure judges into increasing
the sentences for aggravated bur-
glary. He also signalled sentences
for rape, some child abuse
offences, intentionally and reck-
lessly causing serious injury and
some drug offences would also be
challenged.
Legal figures have said Mr
Rapke’s campaigns have
incensed elements of Victoria’s
judiciary because of his reluc-
tance to appear in court.
At 61, Mr Rapke could reason-
ably expect to be made a judge
when he finishes as Director of
Public Prosecutions as his five
predecessors have all ended up
on the bench.
Last week his predecessor, Paul
Coghlan, now a Supreme Court
judge, lashed out at Mr Rapke
over a case in which a prosecutor
attempted to reinstate an
attempted murder charge after
Mr Rapke had earlier accepted a
plea on a lesser charge.
Sting to tour in new year
SUPERSTAR Sting will tour NUI TE KOHA
in January.
The solo performer and for- Sting said. Promoter Live
mer Police frontman will per- Nation Australia will an-
form classical versions of his nounce the tour today.
hits with the Melbourne Sting’s last visits to Aus-
Symphony Orchestra. tralia were in theatres for a
‘‘I look forward to perform- performance of lute music and
stadium shows with the
ing in Australia, having a
Police. But the creatively rest-
whole new palette of musical
colors to work with, and less singer said the classical
reinventing the songs that tour, Symphonicity, had re-
+ have been the staples of my energised his songs.
live shows for over 30 years,’’ ‘‘I’m trying to create some-
CRUSADER: Mr Rapke, pictured here leaving court, has angered some judges by
publicly criticising light sentences.
thing new in this interface
between pop and symphonic
music,’’ he said.
‘‘I don’t know where it’s
going, but that’s something I
love. The journey itself is the
reward.’’
So far, the set-list has in-
cluded Every Little Thing She
Does Is Magic, Roxanne,
Every Breath You Take,
Englishman In New York and
Fields Of Gold.
Sting said fan reaction to
the tour was interesting.
‘‘They can be a bit wary —
they’re not sure if they should
stand up or sit down, be rowdy
or be attentive,’’ he said.
‘‘But, by the end, they figure
it out.’’
Sting will be at the Sidney
Myer Music Bowl on January
28 and tickets will go on sale
on October 22.
Tickets for the Swan Valley
show go on sale on October 21.
6 REASONS
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
ROB HULLS MUST ACT
Inside
THE Office of Public
Prosecutions is a corner-
stone of Victorian democ-
racy.
Independent from the Gov-
ernment and answerable only
to Parliament, its staff of 300
crown prosecutors, solicitors
and support staff work to
bring to book Victoria’s mur-
derers, rapists and other
serious criminals.
But for the past two years
criminal cases are not the only
matters that have occupied
the minds of the staff in the
nine-storey tower in the heart
of the legal district.
The focus has also been on
the relationship between the
Director of Public Pros-
ecutions, Jeremy Rapke, and a
junior solicitor.
And since Mr Rapke elev-
ated that solicitor, Diana
Karamicov, to a position of as-
sociate crown prosecutor —
over the objections of his
deputy, chief crown pros-
ecutor Gavin Silbert, the OPP
has been racked with conflict.
Three OPP insiders have
spoken to the Sunday Herald
Sun and told how Mr Rapke’s
decision to promote Ms
Karamicov has created a toxic
atmosphere in the OPP and it
is the trio’s view it is having an
impact on the administration
of justice in Victoria.
Put simply, the three OPP
sources claim Ms Karamicov
and two other associate crown
prosecutors promoted at the
same time in July lack the ex-
perience to run complex jury
trials.
‘‘They don’t know what to
do with them,’’ one of the OPP
sources said.
The three appointees were
previously employed as solici-
tor advocates who do court
appearance work, usually bail
applications, mentions and
direction hearings and appli-
cations to appear before the
Court of Appeal.
But while they may be
learned in the law, they have
no experience in complex, con-
tested court appearances be-
fore juries.
Before this year, only one
solicitor, Brett Sonnet, had
ever been appointed as a
crown prosecutor and all three
sources agree he was an excep-
tional case.
On his way: Sting will play in
Melbourne on January 28.
+
heraldsun.com.au
JAAMES
JAMES
CAMPBELL
‘‘He is probably the foremost
expert on the sentencing act,’’
one OPP source said.
All three OPP sources said
that was not true of three
solictors promoted in July.
And all three claimed Mr
Rapke’s decision to appoint
them was influenced by his re-
lationship with Ms Karamicov,
a solicitor in her late 20s, who
has been a lawyer for less than
seven years.
Ms Karamicov and Mr
Rapke worked closely
together when she was the in-
structing solicitor and he the
prosecutor in the first trial of
child killer Robert
Farquharson.
By mid-2008, the relation-
ship was widely known about
in the OPP, the three OPP
sources told the Sunday Her-
ald Sun.
Senior figures worried that
gossip had started circulating
in wider legal circles.
In 2008 this prompted
Angela Cannon, then solicitor
for public prosecutions, to
raise with Mr Silbert the re-
lationship and the corrosive ef-
fect it was having on morale.
Ms Cannon left the DPP in
May 2008 and declined to com-
ment yesterday.
Two of the Sunday Herald
Sun’s OPP sources have said
Mr Silbert later confronted Mr
Rapke over his relationship
with Ms Karamicov and
warned him to stop meeting
her in his office.
Mr Rapke is said to have
agreed.
‘‘I’d better be more careful,’’
he allegedly told Mr Silbert,
one of the Sunday Herald
Sun’s OPP sources said.
In December, the Court of
A p p e a l q u a s h e d
Farquharson’s conviction for
killing his children.
Early this year, as the OPP
was preparing its case for a
retrial, Mr Rapke approached
Mr Silbert with an unusual
suggestion.
Despite Ms Karamicov’s
junior status, Mr Rapke said
he wanted her to appear as
junior counsel to the main
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to Potter
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The studio said it could
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the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
in time for its November 19
UK and US release date.
Warner Bros said it did
not want to keep fans wait-
ing for the film. +
 heraldsun.com.au Sunday Herald Sun, October 10, 2010 7
+

LAWYER ROCKED THE VICTORIAN OPP

DPP Jeremy The The OPP’s sex Judges are Senior OPP lawyer The
1 Rapke and
his deputy Gavin
2 promotion
of three lawyers,,
3 offenders unit is in
“danger of falling over”
4 aware
of the crisis
5 Stephen Payne
was so incensed by
6 reputation
eputation of
the OPP has been
Silbert have not including Diana because current staff and have the relationship damaged and
spoken for three Karamicov, need rotating and Mr approached between Mr Rapke the crisis has the
months has shattered Silbert doesn’t believe Mr Silbert over and Ms Karamicov and potential to imperil
morale in Rob the inexperienced lawyers the issue her promotion that he the execution
the OPP Hulls are fit to work in the unit resigned of justice

tower of power
EDITORIAL
As one of the key pillars around which our society is built, it
is of fundamental importance for Victoria that the Office of
Public Prosecutions is united and functioning at 110%. Today,
the Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that this is not the case. In
fact, for some months the Office of Public Prosecutions has
been crippled by a bitter feud between between Mr Rapke and
his deputy, Gavin Silbert. Page 80

ate crown prosecutors and have not spoken to each other

prosecutor, Andrew Tinney, in
Farquharson’s second trial.
Though she had been the in-
structing solicitor in the first
trial, she had never appeared
as counsel in something as im-
portant as a murder trial.
‘‘He went to Gavin and
Our first story, on July 11
Mr Silbert was alarmed and,
in early June, after discussing
the matter with senior staff, he
wrote to the Attorney-General
Rob Hulls expressing his con-
cern.
He said he had heard ru-
mours three solicitors were to
be appointed associate crown
that he had learned that Mr
Silbert had contacted Mr
Hulls and Mr Cain expressing
concern.
Mr Rapke told Mr Silbert he
regarded his actions as grossly
disloyal and an attempt to
undermine him in the eyes of
Mr Hulls.
In the first week of July the
appointments of Diana
F B 1 2 3
in any meaningful way since.
They have, however, com-
municated by letter.
In mid-July, after extensive
discussion with the crown
prosecutors, Mr Silbert replied
strongly to Mr Rapke’s
accusation of disloyalty.
An OPP source who has seen
the letter said Mr Silbert told
Mr Rapke he had every right to

asked him to make Diana
Andrew Tinney’s junior,’’ one
OPP source said.
‘‘Gavin was appalled. He
spoke with Andrew and they
agreed it wasn’t on.’’
Yesterday Mr Tinney said he
had no comment.
He went to Gavin and asked him to make Diana Andrew
prosecutors and was worried
the three appointments would
be boycotted and that no sol-
icitor would brief them.
He asked that his views and
those of the solicitor for public
prosecutions be sought before
any appointments were made.
Karamicov and two other sol-
icitors as associate crown
prosecutors were announced.
The appointments — es-
pecially that of Ms Karamicov
— were met with incredulity
both inside and outside the
OPP.
C M Y K
communicate with the
Attorney-General without his
say-so — particularly as it was
his job to manage the appoint-
ments.
He also told him he was con-
cerned Mr Rapke’s relation-
ship with Ms Karamicov would
become public knowledge and
cause the appointments to be

SHS 10-OCT-2010 PAGE

regarded with ‘‘significant dis-
Tinney’s junior (in Robert Farquharson’s second murder quiet’’.
trial) . . . That was what tipped us off that he was going to try and He went on to say Mr
Rapke’s reputation with the
promote her . . . she would have ticked all the boxes and it would OPP solicitors, crown pros-
ecutors, the bar and the IN CRISIS:
have been much harder to object to her appointment judiciary had been under-
The OPP
AN OPP SOURCE mined by his behaviour.
While Mr Silbert decided to headquarters at
The attempt to give Ms But this was not the only Mr Silbert contemplated re- stay put, the appointments 565 Lonsdale St.
Karamicov courtroom experi- warning Mr Hulls had that signing, but was talked out of were too much for one senior
ence in such an important trial strange things were going on it by crown prosecutors. OPP solicitor.
set off alarm bells among the in the Office of Public Pros- One of the Sunday Herald
higher echelons of the OPP. ecutions. Stephen Payne, a solicitor
Sun’s OPP sources said some with almost 20 years’ experi-
‘‘That was what tipped us off One of the OPP sources staff wanted to pass a vote of ence, quit the OPP after the
that he was going to try and claimed Mr Hulls did not reply no confidence in Mr Rapke,
to Mr Silbert’s letter, but was appointment of Ms
promote her. If she’d appeared but the ringleaders were per- Karamicov.

in the Farquharson trial she
would have ticked all the
boxes and it would have been
much harder to object to her
appointment,’’ one OPP
source said.
In May, Mr Silbert learned
that Mr Rapke intended to
promote three solicitor advo-
cates to posts of associate
crown prosecutor, but refused
to tell Mr Silbert their names.
concerned enough to order an
independent process to assess
the recommendations.
The panel, which included
the Victorian Government Sol-
icitor, John Cain, interviewed
the three candidates and rec-
ommended the appointments
go ahead.
In late June, Mr Rapke
wrote to inform Mr Silbert he
was appointing three associ-
suaded to desist.
But Mr Silbert’s unhappi-
ness and the rows over the ap-
pointments were impossible
to keep in house.
On July 11, the Sunday Her-
ald Sun reported the existence
of Mr Silbert’s letter to Mr
Hulls and the stoush within
the DPP.
Mr Rapke and Mr Silbert
7
In his 2½ years with the DPP,
Mr Payne had been involved in
THIRD
some of the most high-profile
cases, including the bail appli-
cation of Omar Chaok.
Mr Payne confirmed to the
Sunday Herald Sun yesterday
that he had resigned over Ms
Karamicov’s appointment,
but declined to make any
further comment.

WE’RE COUNTING DOWN Eminem’s A NEW WAY

THE DAYS TO A HOLIDAY home truth TO HEALTH
WORKAHOLIC Australians are finally getting HE is well-known for WALK, talk, eat is the simple mantra behind a
the message about the importance of taking time using foul language in new healthy lifestyle program being launched in
off. lyrics, but rapper today’s Sunday Herald Sun.
The number of stockpiled annual leave days fell Eminem says bad words Over the next eight weeks, the Weigh It Up
by five million in just over a year. have no place in his Australia program will give you advice on
Tourism Australia figures show the number of house. healthy eating, getting active and being happy.
accrued annual leave days dropped from 123 mil- ‘‘Profanity around my Dr John Tickell, co-host of the program, said
lion when it launched its No Leave, No Life cam- house? No,’’ he said. with research revealing 26 per cent of the
paign in March 2009, to 118 million in June. ‘‘I’m a parent, I have country’s adult population was obese, it was
time for drastic action.
Employees were also 35 per cent more likely to
TOKEN three daughters. I mean,
INSIDE
THIRD

take a holiday within Australia this year than how would I really sound, ‘‘If you’re sitting there nodding, then Weigh It
they were last year, and those aware of the cam- as a person, walking Up Australia can help you and your family to a
paign were more likely to holiday at home in the
next six months. PAGE 2 around my house saying,
‘‘Bitch, pick this up’.’’ TODAY better life.’’
See Weigh It Up Australia inside Body + Soul. +
 +
4 Sunday Herald Sun, October 17, 2010 heraldsun.com.au
+

Facts may be a casualty in fragile armistice

ROB Hulls will be hoping the
motherhood statement re-
leased on Friday from inside
the OPP bunker means the
mess will now go away.
Six weeks out from an elec-
tion, the last thing the
Attorney-General needs is a
continuing public fight.
But Friday’s statement
from Jeremy Rapke, Gavin
Silbert and Craig Hyland is
not an end to the war inside
the OPP — more of a fragile
armistice.
JAMES
CAMPBELL
After we reported the toxic
relationships at the heart of
the Victoria’s prosecution
service, it took five days for
them to put together this
blandly worded peace pact.
The communuique is more
interesting for what it doesn’t
say than for what it does. The
statement does not say Mr
Silbert and Mr Hyland have
confidence in the appoint-
ment of Diana Karamicov and
two other solicitors as associ-
ate crown prosecutors.
That is because crown pros-
ecutors are not staff of the
OPP — they are appointees
made by the Governor.
The distinction may seem
small, but it is a big one to
lawyers who understand
these differences.
We asked Mr Hulls on
Friday whether he had confi-
dence that Mr Rapke was tell-
ing the truth when he told
him he had not had an inap-
propriate relationship with
Ms Karamicov.
He refused to answer the
question.
He also refused to say when
he was first alerted to con-
cerns about a relationship be-
tween Mr Rapke and Ms
Karamicov.
Several past and present
OPP staff have told this news-
paper they believe Mr Rapke
has had an inappropriate re-
lationship with Ms
Karamicov.
They have said they would
relish the opportunity to give
evidence under oath.
This could either happen in
a court or if the Government
were to establish a judicial en-
quiry with the power to issue
subpoenas and to take evi-
dence under oath.
Despite Mr Hulls initially
playing down the contro-
versy, within 48 hours he or-
dered an in-house — but not
independent — inquiry.
So close to an election it
seems the last thing the Gov-
ernment wants is a poten-
tially damaging investigation
into the important law-and-
order body.
Until such an inquiry takes
place the public has the right
to wonder whether they are
being told the truth.

OPP cracks deepen

FIRST

WEEK OF DRAMA Insider

4

leaks
SHS 17-OCT-2010 PAGE

expose
unrest
JAMES CAMPBELL
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
SUNDAY SENIOR Office of
The Sunday Herald Sun reveals the Office of Public Public Prosecutions
Prosecutions has been plunged into crisis by the staff are bracing for
promotion of a junior female solicitor, Diana Karami- more strife despite
cov. We reveal top prosecutor Jeremy Rapke and his the issuing of a pub-
lic peace pact.
deputy, Gavin Silbert, have fallen out of the promo- OPP sources have told
tion. OPP sources claim Rapke has been involved the Sunday Herald Sun
C M Y K

in an “inappropriate and improper” relationship with problems inside the

organisation are far from
Karamicov. It followed our original report on July 11 over.
exposing tensions within the OPP over the promotion. And staff warned they
Rapke holds a press conference denying feared a witch-hunt had
begun inside the organis-
being involved in an “inappropriate and improper” ation to find leakers after
relationship with Karamicov. Attorney General Rob crisis talks between
Director of Public Pros-
Hulls (below) backs Rapke and refuses to launch an ecutions Jeremy Rapke,
inquiry into the controversy. QC, his deputy, Chief
F B 1 2 3

Crown Prosecutor Gavin

MONDAY Silbert, SC, and Solicitor
for Public Prosecutions
Interviewed by Jon Faine on ABC radio, Craig Hyland.
Rapke again denies being involved in an The talks were sparked
“inappropriate” relationship with Kara- by this newspaper’s ex-
micov. Rapke says they have worked posure of deep rifts
within the OPP over the
closely together and are “friends”. Rapke appointment of Diana
admits to Faine that his relationship with
ith Karamicov and two
Silbert (top right) is “strained”. other solicitors to the
positions of associate
TUESDAY crown prosecutors.
Last week it was re-
Hulls backflips and orders Victorian vealed Mr Silbert had
solicitor general John Cain to written to Mr Rapke
investigate the crisis. warning him that his
reputation with OPP sol-
WEDNESDAY icitors, crown pros-
ecutors, the bar and the
Rapke, Silbert and Craig Hyland – judiciary had been dam-
the OPP’s solictor for prosecutions – aged by his relationship Internal conflict: Jeremy Rapke, QC, has come under significant pressure. Picture: MIKE KEATING
with Ms Karamicov.
hold separate talks with Cain. dence in him,’’ one OPP home in 2008. OPP the negotiations over had full confidence in the
Mr Rapke denied last
lawyer said. sources confirmed it was Friday’s statement. DPP.
THURSDAY week that he had had a
sexual or an improper re- ‘‘If there was a properly Mr Rapke’s signature; Yesterday he refused ‘‘Victorians have a
The warring prosecutors are lationship with the constituted inquiry
THE OPP offices in to make any comment as high-calibre, hard-
locked in more meetings trying 31-year-old lawyer. where people could give shadow attorney-general working, innovative
Lonsdale St were swept
The State Govern- evidence under oath, he Robert Clark reiterated prosecutorial service and
to reach a resolution. for bugs, according to an
ment’s failure to order an would be gone.’’ his call for an indepen- I am pleased that the
OPP insider; and,
inquiry into the OPP In Friday’s statement, dent inquiry. leadership of this service
FRIDAY crisis was set to revive Mr Rapke, Mr Silbert and
Mr Hyland said they were
ATTORNEY-General ‘‘Rob Hulls shows is committed to continu-
The OPP releases a statement moves within the organ- Rob Hulls refused on every indication of hav- ing to work together in
isation to pass a motion ‘‘committed to continu- Friday to say he had con- ing sought to cover up the best interests of all
headlined “a commitment of ‘‘no confidence’’ in Mr ing to work together’’. fidence Mr Rapke was the festering problems Victorians,’’ he said.
to strong and effective Rapke. An earlier move In other developments: telling the truth when he within the OP. He has ‘‘As the three key pros-
prosecution” that acknowledges by OPP solicitors in July A LAND title transfer said he had not had an been warned about these ecution leaders have said,
to pass such a motion document showed Mr improper relationship problems for months, staff, who are all appro-
“differences” between Rapke with Ms Karamicov.
was dropped. Rapke had witnessed the but has had his head in priately qualified, work
and Silbert but in which both ‘‘They are still furious deed of transfer when Ms Mr Silbert is believed the sand,’’ Mr Clark said. very hard under increas-
pledge to work together. — this statement will Karamicov bought her to have promised during Mr Hulls, in a state- ing pressure and as a gov-
Diana Karamicov solve nothing — the sol- former husband out of talks he would not reveal ment from his adviser ernment we will continue
icitors have lost confi- their former matrimonial what occurred during Meaghan Shaw, said he to support their work.’’

NAT’S BACK FOR ARIAS

NEW mother Natalie Bassingthwaighte will return
to the spotlight to host the ARIA Awards.
‘‘It’s daunting to get back out there and do it,’’
Bassingthwaighte said. ‘‘But I didn’t want to pass
up this opportunity.’’
It is first big gig for the pop star known as NatBass
since she gave birth to daughter Harper Rain
Sinclair in August.
Asked if she grappled with returning to work, she
laughed: ‘‘I should say yes, right? No, not really. To
be part of the music industry’s night of nights is
something I didn’t want to pass up.
‘‘I have a little baby and I have to take that into
consideration. But she is a little social butterfly al-
+ ready. She has people putting their hands up left,
right and centre to babysit.’’
‘Switch off power’
VICTORIA’S incoming fire chief has
flagged shutting off power on high fire
danger days to prevent powerline-
sparked blazes.
The Brumby Government rejected the
Royal Commission’s recommendation
to replace all ageing powerlines with
technology that would prevent them
sparking fires.
Five of the biggest fires on Black Sat-
urday, including the Kilmore East fire
that killed 119 people, were allegedly
started by electrical lines or fittings.
Incoming new chief of the CFA, Euan
LIAM HOULIHAN
Ferguson, who starts on November 15,
has given his ideas in a wide-ranging
interview on how to improve safety.
‘‘In South Australia for example . . . in
high-risk areas the power is switched off
once the wind speed gets up above an-
other level.
‘‘This is a matter for the electricity
industry, but I think there are some
other more risk-based options that
could be analysed.’’
Man in the hot seat, Pages 88-89
TWIGGY’S FORTUNES RISE
ANDREW Forrest’s wealth has risen to more than
$6 billion after shares in Fortescue Metals Group
surged last week.
While the average shareholder would have made
about $5000 last month, Mr Forrest saw his paper
fortune surge by about $1.5 billion in September-
October, courtesy of his 31 per cent stake in
Fortescue.
The company’s share price rose from $4.86 on
September 15 to $6.41 at close of market on Friday,
a growth of almost 32 per cent.
If his mining shares continue to rise, Mr Forrest
may reclaim the title of Australia’s richest man,
overtaking Westfield Group founder Frank Lowy
who has an estimated wealth of $5.04 billion, accord-
ing to the BRW Rich 200 list. +

4 Sunday Herald Sun, October 24, 2010
+
THAT RAPKE LETTER ‘YOU CONTINUED TO ASSOCIATE
I did warn you
Dear Jeremy
Your letter of 29 June has
caused me great concern, as
it fails to deal with any of
the history of the matters
which you have raised in
FIRST
that correspondence.
I have no choice but to
respond and make clear
4
both the background
SHS 24-OCT-2010 PAGE
and the circumstances
that have led to this most
unfortunate exchange of
correspondence.
You have reproached me in
your letter for being grossly
disloyal and attempting to
undermine your standing.
I emphatically deny any
disloyalty and deny that it
was my intention then or
at any time in the past to
undermine your standing.
As you will undoubtedly
recall, I have previously
C M Y K
approached you on a
private and personal level
and indicated to you the
concerns that were being
expressed by various
solicitors in the office
of Public Prosecutions,
members of the Victorian
F B 1 2 3
Bar and the judiciary
about your relationship
with Ms Diana Karamicov,
particularly considering
your then relative positions,
you as Director of Public
Prosecutions, and she as a
junior solicitor. At the time
I first spoke to you I was
unaware of her name.
I did not enquire of
you then the nature of
your relationship, but
cautioned you as to the
general perceptions of that
relationship. You continued
to associate and spend time
with Ms Karamicov in a
manner that was markedly
+
This is the
confidential letter
Gavin Silbert sent
his boss, Jeremy
Rapke, on July 19
different from every other
solicitor in the Office of
Public Prosecutions. The
concerns of the groups of
people to whom I previously
referred continued unabated
and increased, with the
passing of time, as stories
were then circulated
about you attempting to
interfere in her career
by seeking to have her
promoted within the Office
of Public Prosecutions, and
interfering in an area in
which you had no statutory
role, attempting consistently
to advance her career well
beyond that of a solicitor of
her experience.
The position of Associate
Crown Prosecutor is a
public position funded by
public monies, and I am,
pursuant to s14 of the
Public Prosecutions Act,
charged with managing
the Crown Prosecutors
and Associate Crown
Prosecutors to ensure they
function in an effective and
efficient manner. I became
aware that there was a
possibility that you were
considering appointing a
number of Associate Crown
Prosecutors and accordingly
I enquired of you on two
occasions who you were
considering recommending
for the position. You refused
to tell me. Prior to these
three appointments we had
always discussed persons
you were considering
recommending for
appointment in Prosecutor’s
Chambers.
I was concerned that the
persons being recommended
may have been persons who
were unsuitable for the
positions, which is what has
in fact transpired.
In terms of the position
of Associate Crown
Prosecutor, the concept
is generally speaking that
they will be capable lawyers
who have demonstrated
some skill in the running
of criminal trials at a
more minor level and who
will be given exposure
and experience in more
complex trials. Neither
Ms Karamicov nor Ms
(the Sunday Herald Sun
has removed the name
of the second lawyer for
legal reasons) have ever
conducted a criminal trial
in the role of counsel or
advocate, and there has
been nothing demonstrated
by either to indicate that
they are capable of so doing.
The appointment of Mr
(the Sunday Herald Sun has
removed the name of the
third lawyer and the rest
of this sentence for legal
reasons).
GAVIN SILBERT
There are many talented
solicitors within the Office
of Public Prosecutions
who would make
excellent Associate Crown
Prosecutors, but they
were not afforded the
opportunity to apply for
these positions.
I was concerned that
at some stage your
relationship with Ms
Karamicov would become a
matter of public knowledge
and cause the appointment
to be regarded with
significant disquiet. The
office of Crown Prosecutor
is an important office,
in which the integrity of
the office holders is of
the utmost importance,
as is the manner of their
appointment. Because
of my concerns that
the appointment of Ms
Karamicov, and indeed the
other two appointees, may
have damaged that position,
I tried to raise the matter
with you but you would
not speak to me and I had
no alternative but to seek
information about who was
being recommended by you
from other sources.
At no stage in my dealing
with the Government, the
Victorian Government
Solicitor, the Solicitor
+
heraldsun.com.au
for Public Prosecutions
or any of his staff have I
commented adversely on
your standing, authority or
reputation. Your standing
and reputation with the
solicitors of the Office of
Public Prosecutions, Crown
Prosecutors, members
of the criminal bar and
the Judiciary have been
undermined by your own
persistent
actions and behaviour,
which have continued and
increased over the last two
years, despite my warnings.
I was concerned as to
whether you had disclosed
to the Attorney-General the
fact of your relationship
and the nature of that
relationship with Ms.
Karamicov, but did not
consider it my role to
bring that relationship to
his attention.
I reject unequivocally
your assertion that there
was anything improper in
my approaches to John
Cain and to the Attorney
General. As a statutory
appointee charged with
specified duties, I maintain
my right to approach the
Attorney at any time and
without reference to you.
In each case I expressed my
concerns at the proposed
appointments based on
the lack of qualifications
and experience of the
appointees. The need for me
to make these approaches
arose as a direct result of
your conduct and your
refusal to tell me
the names of the three
persons you had submitted
to the Attorney-General. PROMOTED: Diana
Karamicov walking from the
Supreme Court last week.
Yours sincerely
Picture: MIKE KEATING
Gavin Silbert.
+
 heraldsun.com.au
AND SPEND TIME WITH MS KARAMICOV’
about her
The feud deepens as key
OPP lawyers call for inquiry
JAMES
CAMPBELL
FOUR Office of Public
Prosecutions lawyers say
they will testify about the
relationship between their
boss, Jeremy Rapke, and a
junior lawyer — if an in-
quiry is ordered.
The staff, furious over the de-
cision by the Director of Public
Prosecutions to promote solici-
tor Diana Karamicov, have inde-
pendently confirmed their inten-
tions to the Sunday Herald Sun.
The OPP has been in turmoil
since July over Mr Rapke’s ap-
pointment of three solicitors as
associate crown prosecutors — a
job that pays $140,000 a year.
‘‘People would be lining up to
give evidence,’’ one of the law-
yers said.
On Friday, Mr Rapke, QC,
issued an internal memo to hun-
dreds of staff accusing some law-
yers of running a ‘‘despicable’’
campaign against Ms Karamicov
and two other solicitors ap-
pointed alongside her.
Mr Rapke took the dramatic
step after the Sunday Herald
Sun told his office the newspaper
had obtained a confidential let-
ter from Gavin Silbert, SC, to Mr
Rapke written in July.
It appeared yesterday that Mr
Rapke’s plea to staff and pros-
ecutors to rally behind, instead
of calming the situation, had in-
flamed matters.
‘‘How dare he blame us for
what he has done,’’ one OPP
lawyer said.
‘‘We’re the ones who are
suffering because of
this,’’ one source said.
‘‘He’s the one who has em-
barrassed the office, not us.’’
In his letter, dated July 19, Mr
Silbert, the Chief Crown Pros-
ecutor, repeatedly accuses his
boss of having a relationship
with Ms Karamicov.
Mr Silbert also writes that Mr
R a pk e is in ter f er in g in M s
Karamicov’s career by seeking to
advance her beyond her experi-
ence and skills.
FIRST
RM
Sunday Herald Sun, October 24, 2010
EDITORIAL
We believe the
publication of today’s
developments – the
July 19 letter from
chief Crown prosecutor
Gavin Silbert, SC,
to his boss, Jeremy
Rapke, QC, – is in the
public interest. This
story goes directly
to the performance
and integrity of this
important body and the
Brumby Government’s
management of justice.
Full editorial, Page 77
He also makes clear his belief
that nothing in the three solici-
tors’ previous careers had indi-
cated they were capable of run-
ning criminal trials.
Today’s publication of Mr
Silbert’s letter is set to reignite
the fight within the OPP, which
Attorney-General Rob Hulls is
desperately claiming has been
defused.
The four OPP lawyers have
told the Sunday Herald Sun
5
+
they believe Mr Silbert’s
assertion that Mr Rapke spent
time with Ms Karamicov in a
manner ‘‘markedly different
from every other solicitor in the
Office of Public Prosecutions’’ is
correct.
They have said that, if called
on, they could testify:
THAT Mr Rapke and Ms
Karamicov were frequently
alone together in his office late at
night.
SOLICITORS who briefed Ms
Karamicov complained they
were afraid to criticise her
because they feared she would
complain about them to Mr
Rapke.
THE relationship between Mr
Rapke and Ms Karamicov was
one of the reasons why the pre-
vious solicitor for public pros-
ecutions left her job in May 2008.
The Brumby Government has
ruled out an inquiry.
F B 1 2 3
This month, Mr Rapke told
broadcaster Jon Faine that he
did not have a sexual relation-
ship with Ms Karamicov, but re-
fused to answer on Friday when
asked if he had had a sexual re-
lationship with her in the past.
The conflict inside the OPP
has been the subject of rumour
and innuendo in the legal district
for months.
C M Y K
‘‘He (Mr Rapke) is acting as
though this is just something in-
side the office — it’s not, it’s the
talk of Lonsdale St,’’ one source
said.
Victorian Government Solici-
tor John Cain, who interviewed
the solicitors after concerns
about their appointments as as-
sociate crown prosecutors were
raised with Attorney-General
Hulls, declined to answer ques-
SHS 24-OCT-2010 PAGE
tions about Mr Silbert’s letter.
Mr Hulls also declined to
answer questions.
Opposition Leader Ted
Baillieu called on Mr Hulls to or-
der an inquiry.
‘‘There must now be an inves-
tigation extending not only to
what has gone on in the DPP’s
office, but also to what Rob Hulls
knew and when, and what his
role has been in attempting to
cover up this crisis,’’ he said.
campbelljam@heraldsun.com.au
5
FIRST
+
 +
6 Sunday Herald Sun, October 24, 2010 heraldsun.com.au
+

THE OPP CRISIS: RAPKE HITS BACK

DPP lashes leakers

THIS is the full text of an
internal memo DPP Jeremy
Rapke sent to staff on Friday
afternoon.
Mr Rapke has declined
I call upon all prosecutors and
several requests from the the staff of the OPP to rally
Sunday Herald Sun to be
interviewed over this
controversy behind these three prosecutors and
to stop immediately the despicable
FIRST

I HAVE today become aware

that the Sunday Herald Sun
intends to publish on Sunday
a letter written to me in July
and unwarranted campaign which is
2010 by Gavin Silbert SC, calculated to cause so much personal
6

Chief Crown Prosecutor.

It was a personal letter in
hurt and embarrassment as well as
SHS 24-OCT-2010 PAGE

which Mr Silbert expressed

his personal views about my
recommendation of three significant damage to the prosecution
solicitor-advocates as
Associate Crown Prosecutors. service of this state.
There has been a lot of
discussion in the media
recently about these
appointments and I now wish
to deal with the reasons that
motivated me to make my
recommendations to the
Attorney-General.
In April 2010 I wrote to the
Attorney-General, the
Honourable Rob Hulls MP,
recommending the
appointment of seven persons
as Senior Crown Prosecutors,
Crown Prosecutors and
Associate Crown Prosecutors.
In that letter I provided
C M Y K

reasons to the Attorney for my

recommendations.
I advised the Attorney that
my recommendation that the
three solicitors be appointed
Associate Crown Prosecutors Stop now: Mr Rapke
was part of my commitment to has called for unity in
enhance and develop in-house
advocacy in the OPP and to the OPP.
provide a recognised career
F B 1 2 3

path for solicitors who chose

advocacy as a specialisation
and excelled in it.
I informed the Attorney
that the appointment of the
three Associate Crown
Prosecutors would
significantly augment the
ability of Crown Prosecutors
Chambers to service my
briefing needs, particularly in
the Court of Appeal and in the
area of specialist sexual
offence prosecution.
It was in those two areas
that I had experienced
briefing pressures.
I was concerned to ensure
that I was represented in
higher court appeals and sex
offence prosecutions by the
most skilled and experienced
specialist advocates.
I observed that the
demands made by the Court
of Appeal for ever more
detailed and complex data
and submissions had
stretched my resources to the
point that I was then having
great difficulty in servicing the
Court.
I advised the Attorney that I
intended to use two of the
three Associate Crown
Prosecutors as specialist
Court of Appeal advocates
whilst also giving them
appropriate opportunities to
develop their general
advocacy skills.
It was my stated intention
that, initially, the Associate
Crown Prosecutors would
work in those areas of
specialisation which I
identified for the Attorney
before developing the skills
necessary to conduct trials
and more complex criminal
litigation.
Suggestions that any or all
of the three solicitors lacked
the necessary qualifications,
skill or expertise to carry out
the functions I designated for
them are completely without
foundation and are malicious.
A panel appointed by the
Attorney-General to assess
independently my
recommendations confirmed
the suitability of those three
solicitors for appointment as
Associate Crown Prosecutors.
The continued public
denigration of these three
prosecutors is a disgrace and
reflects poorly on all who have
been involved in the public
campaign to undermine their
standing and careers.
Further, the personal cost
to these three people of their
public vilification cannot be
underestimated and is so
frequently ignored.
One needs little imagination
to appreciate how hurtful it
must be to them to read in the
newspapers of their supposed
incompetence and lack of
suitability for the positions to
which they have been
appointed.
The three Associated
Crown Prosecutors have my
full confidence and support.
Each of them is a fine
criminal lawyer and advocate
and deserved their
appointments.
I call upon all prosecutors
and staff of the OPP to rally
behind these three
prosecutors and to stop
immediately the despicable
and unwarranted campaign
which is calculated to cause so
much personal hurt and
embarrassment as well as
significant damage to the
prosecution service of this
state.

TIMELINE OF TURMOIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

SUNDAY, JULY 11
Tensions within the Office of
Public Prosecutions over DPP
Jeremy Rapke’s decision to
promote young lawyer Diana
Karamicov are revealed by
the Sunday Herald Sun.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
The Sunday Herald Sun
reports the top prosecutor
and his deputy, Gavin Silbert,
have fallen out bitterly. OPP
sources claim Rapke
has been involved in an
“inappropriate”
“i i ” relationship
l i hi
with Karamicov. We publish a
brief summary of the July 19
letter from Silbert to Rapke.
Rapk denies being involved
Rapke
in an “inappropriate”
ed
SSUNDAY, OCTOBER 17
A land title transfer document
oobtained by the Sunday
of the July 19 Silbert letter
and intend publishing
the contents. At 4pm,
relationship with Karamicovv
relati Herald Sun shows Rapke
H Rapke’s office issues an
(pictured right). Attorney
(pictu w
witnessed the deed of transfer unprecedented internal memo
w
when Karamicov bought her to 300 OPP staff pleading
General Rob Hulls
Gene
fo
former husband out of their with them to stop leaking and
backs Rapke.
back
warning them the damaging
fo
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
TUES letter was about to be
Ja
January 8, 2008.
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Hulls orders Victorian
solicitor general John Cain
solic FFRIDAY, OCTOBER 22
to investigate the crisis. A 12.15pm, the Sunday
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H
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 O
OPP and government we
A fragile peace pact is struck.
ck. hhave obtained the full text

Train derails Logging issue heats up

at Wodonga THE Brumby Government is be- Tasmanian forest industry deal to to our last breath,’’ he said. ‘‘If
ing warned it faces ‘‘the mother end native forest logging — only a Labor breaks its promises to us
THIS freight train derailed in of all campaigns’’ at next week after Agriculture Minister we will fight to the bitter end.’’
Wodonga yesterday morning, dis- Joe Helper said his party sup-
month’s state election if it tries Responding to Coalition calls
rupting country train services. ported native logging.
to end native forest logging. for the ALP to back native log-
The Pacific National train was
A government spokeswoman But senior Labor figures fear ging, a Labor spokeswoman said:
travelling northbound on the
Wodonga Bypass at 7.10am yester- yesterday refused to offer a the Government will pledge to ‘‘We support maintaining a
day when a bogie buckled, dislodg- guarantee the industry would end native logging in a bid to save sustainable timber industry in
ing the carriage and sending it over continue to have access to native inner-city seats under threat from Victoria, including the many jobs
the Wodonga Creek Bridge. trees if Labor is re-elected. the Greens. associated with forestry.
Australian Rail Track Corpor- Instead she appeared to back Victorian Association of Forest ‘‘ If there was broad community
ation spokesman Brad Emery said comments in yesterday’s Aust- Industries chief Philip Dalidakis and industry support for a new
though the train driver did not suf- ralian newspaper, from Con- said the timber industry would direction then clearly we would
fer any injuries, 660m of rail was struction Forestry Mining and not lay down and die. be interested in examining those
+ damaged and 550 concrete Energy Union national secretary ‘‘We will fight to protect 10,000 proposals.’’
sleepers would have to be replaced. Michael O’Connor, supporting a country jobs and 14,000 city jobs JAMES CAMPBELL +