Vic: New claims follow jury rape finding on Clark

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2007
Vic: New claims follow jury rape finding on Clark

By Kate Lahey

MELBOURNE, Feb 1 AAP - A civil jury's finding that Geoff Clark led two pack rapes in
1971 has prompted new allegations involving the Aboriginal leader, lawyers said today.

The claims, made to lawyers for victim Carol Stingel, came as Mr Clark was ordered
today to pay more than $70,000 in court costs, on top of $20,000 in compensatory damages.

The former ATSIC chairman is planning to appeal yesterday's decision by a civil jury
which found he led pack rapes on the then 16-year-old in the Victorian coastal town of
Warrnambool in 1971.

Mr Clark has strenuously denied twice raping Ms Stingel, now aged 51, and has never
faced criminal charges over the allegations.

But the trial has spurred "about half a dozen" people to come forward with new claims,
all dating back to the 1970s, one of Ms Stingel's legal team, who spoke on the condition
of anonymity, said today.

Those coming forward included several women and a man.

Ms Stingel's lawyers also say they have been contacted by many people wishing to express
their support for her.

"A number of them have their own similar stories and wanted to share that with Carol
as a support to her, to say that they believe her and lend credit to her claims," one
lawyer said.

None of those people are believed to be considering legal action.

Mr Clark's lawyer, Mark Yorston, said he had no instructions from his client in relation
to further allegations.

However Mr Clark today said he was a victim of the media.

He told Southern Cross Broadcasting he was the victim of a "show trial".

"It is impossible for me to get a fair trial in this country because of the vilification
of the media," he said.

"This is just prejudice, this is about, in my view, the rule of law.

"Who is the custodian of the rule of law? Is it the judicial system or is it the media?"

Mr Clark said he was being punished for advancing the cause of Aboriginal people.

He said people should read the transcript of the civil trial.

Meanwhile, Victorian County Court Judge David Morrow today ordered Mr Clark to pay
Ms Stingel's court costs of about $71,000.

This amount is on top of the $20,000 damages awarded to her by the jury in compensation
for post traumatic stress.

Mr Clark will also have to pay $1,500 interest on that amount.

Ms Stingel today said she felt "like I've grown about a foot" after yesterday's finding.

She also likened the civil trial to her undergoing a lengthy counselling session.

"It has helped me tremendously, I've been able to air everything that happened to me
my pains and sorrow," Ms Stingel told ABC radio.

"I've just done it in a different way, to the world instead of in a little room."

Ms Stingel said she hoped this was the end of the case.

"If I'm subpoenaed I'll go," she said of any appeal.

"(But) it is time for Geoff Clark to admit to himself who he is and what he is," she said.

Mr Clark was elected ATSIC chairman in 1999 and remained in the post through two terms
until it was abolished by the federal government in 2004.

AAP kl/dk/jt/sp

KEYWORD: CLARK NIGHTLEAD

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