30 October 2001
Tomorrow the National Conveners of the Socialist Alliance will formally
complain to the Australian Electoral Commission concerning a broadcast made
by 3AW's Steve Price on Thursday, October 25.
If convicted, Mr Price faces up to six months in jail, and 3AW Southern
Cross Radio faces possible loss of its broadcasting licence.
In the complaint, Socialist Alliance Victorian Senate Campaign
co-ordinator, Peter Murray, alleges that 3AW and Mr Price committed
offences against the Electoral Act by deceiving electors and seeking to
hinder the political liberty of Socialist Alliance candidates, in
particular Ms Alison Thorne, the Socialist Alliance's lead Victorian Senate
Candidate.
In his program Mr Price broadcast three short quotes from a 1983 3AW
interview, given by Alison Thorne to then-presenter Mike Edmonds. These
quotes were taken out of context so as to give the impression that Ms
Thorne, and by implication, Socialist Alliance, supports or gives comfort
to child abusers.
This is flagrant contradiction with the Alliance policy, which is not only
100 per cent opposed to all forms of exploitation and discrimination, but
specifically calls for "fully funded refuges for women and children
escaping physical, psychological and sexual abuse".
Price, who had not told Alison Thorne before the interview that he wished
to discuss the issue, demanded that she respond to his questions about the
quotations. When Thorne refused on the grounds that Price had told her the
interview would be about Socialist Alliance policy for the federal
elections, Price cut her off. He then invited his listeners to comment on
whether they could vote for someone who appeared to advocate paedophilia.
Victorian Senate co-ordinator Peter Murray, who was involved in the defence
of Ms Thorne during a successful campaign for her reinstatement as a
secondary school teacher following the original 1983 interview, stated: "It
is a matter of public record that Ms Thorne's 1983 victimisation were
largely due to the actions of 3AW. In its 1986 ruling in favour of Ms
Thorne, the Equal Opportunity Board, under the presidency of Ms Jan Wade
(later Kennett government Attorney-General), had this to say about the 1983
3AW broadcast.
"In addition it appears likely from the evidence that the tape recording of
the Mike Edmonds interview was edited. The Board is not prepared to make a
finding on this matter as Mr Edmonds had no opportunity to give evidence
before the Board. *If, however, any significant portion of the interview
was omitted while other parts of the interview were broadcast out of
context, Mr Edmonds and radio station 3AW have contributed significantly to
the position in which the complainant finds herself* (*emphasis added).
The Board proposes to send a copy of its decision to the Press Council and
the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal.
Peter Murray continued: "Mr Edmonds separately conceded that the tape had
indeed been edited, for what he said were 'legal reasons'. The fact that
there were serious questions about the 3AW tape 15 years ago only adds
another level of distortion of Ms Thorne's views implied in the broadcast
by 3AW last Thursday. What's more, Price made no mention of the Equal
Opportunity Board decision vindicating Alison Thorne in that program nor,
of course, of its comments on 3AW's role."
Mr Dick Nichols, National Co-convener of Socialist Alliance, described
Price's broadcast as a "crude and obvious ambush", a "blatant set-up" and a
"scandalous attack on our candidate".
He continued: "Alison Thorne is a veteran socialist, feminist and gay
liberationist whose reputation and integrity are well known in both in
Australia and overseas. That is why she was pre-selected to lead our Senate
team in Victoria."
Alison Thorne stated: "Those wanting to understand Socialist Alliance
policies or my personal views on sexual abuse are none the wiser after
Price's sensationalist ambush. I agreed to be interviewed on 3AW to discuss
the policies of Socialist Alliance. Price had another agenda, and when I
refused to comply with it, he hit the dump button. Then came the talk-back
character assassination.
"For the record, I absolutely and unequivocally oppose rape, sexual assault
or the sexual abuse of any person of any age. These were also my views when
I was interviewed by 3AW on 8 November, 1983. And, supplied with context,
it is obvious that the views I expressed concerning the age of consent are
mostly reflective of current laws.
"I experienced sexual abuse as a child. I know what it is. I lived through
it and and I survived it. It's an experience which helped make me a
socialist feminist campaigner against all forms of oppression."
Mr Nichols demanded that 3AW to give its candidates equal time on Mr
Price's program to correct the deception of electors produced by Steve
Price's October 25 interview and to discuss Socialist Alliance's policies
in the current election campaign.
For more information
Peter Murray, Mobile: 0411-080-031; e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dick Nichols, Mobile: 0413-031-108; e-mail: >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Nine socialist organisations and many individual activists have formed the
Socialist Alliance to contest the next federal election. Supporters include
Craig Johnston, Victorian state branch secretary of the AMWU, Melbourne
University academic Verity Burgmann, comedian Rod Quantock, union and
environmental activist Jack Mundey, Victorian Fairwear organiser Annie
Delaney and Victorian Trades Hall women's and equity officer Ellen Kleimaker.
The alliance is standing in every state and territory.
For more details, visit www.socialist-alliance.org
--
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