Fed: Govt not involved in smear campaign says Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2004
Fed: Govt not involved in smear campaign says Howard

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has denied any attempt by the government to smear a military
lawyer who wrote a damning report on Australia's intelligence services.

Captain MARK TOOHEY has attacked the government over its treatment of him and whistleblower
Lieutenant Colonel LANCE COLLINS who was at the centre of allegations that he leaked sensitive
material.

The report by Captain TOOHEY cleared Colonel COLLINS of the claims and found evidence
of a pro-Jakarta lobby within the Defence Intelligence Organisation.

After Colonel COLLINS' call for a royal commission, the federal government released
another report which discredited Captain TOOHEY's report.

Mr HOWARD says Captain TOOHEY and Colonel COLLINS are both entitled to their views.

But he's told ABC radio that he completely rejects the idea that the government has
tried to smear Captain TOOHEY.

He says he's sorry that Captain TOOHEY is sensitive about a legal opinion by the army's
senior legal consultant that is contrary to his.

AAP RTV jfs/ch/rh/rp

KEYWORD: COLLINS HOWARD (BRISBANE) WITH AUDIO

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