The Sunday Times  [Perth, WA]
26 Sept 1993

    RINDOS STARTS COURT FIGHT

A sacked university of WA archaeologist has launched legal
proceeding in the WA Surpreme Court against an
anthropologist, alleging defamation.

Dr David Rindos said he could not release details on the
case.

"I cannot comment at this point beyond saying it
fundamentally concerns serious issues of freedom of
academic expression," Dr Rindos said yesterday.

Dr Rindos said the legal actions was the first of a series
of planned actions against WA academics and UWA
administrators. 

He wa sacked two months ago by UWA Vice-Chancellor Fay
Gale, who claimed his teaching and research had not
measured up to UWA's high standards.

She also said problems between Dr Rindos and the head of
the Archaeology Department, Professor Sandra Bowdler, had
contributed to her decision.

Earlier, two official inquiries into the Archaeology
Department led to Professor Bowdler being stood down and
her department scrapped.

Dr Rindos and several postgraduate students gave in-camera
and written evidence to both inquiries.

Earlier this month Dr Rindos wrote to Professor Gale
demanding an apology for comments she made in a three-page
letter sent to all academics outlining her reasons for his
sacking.

Professor Gale later issued a similar press statement about
the American-trained archaeologist.

Her decision to terminate his contract sparked an outcry
throughout the international archaeological community.

More than 30 world-renouned archaeologists wrote to
Professor Gale and UWA Registrar Malcom Orr expressing
concern.