Rally backs Newnham
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Several hundred people, including many police, rallied in King George Square on May 1 in support of stood-down police commissioner Noel Newnham, recently found guilty of official misconduct and ordered sacked by a tribunal.
The rally, organised by the Queensland Watchdog Committee, reflected fears that the Fitzgerald inquiry reforms had been sidetracked and Newnham had been treated unfairly by the tribunal over alleged misuse of travel funds.
A message from former police commissioner Ray Whitrod urged confidence in Newnham's integrity as "a matter of principle which must be fought for the good of the overall community".
There are allegations that Newnham has been victimised by Â鶹´«Ã½ of the government and corrupt elements of the police force for his attempts to reform the police.