MLC URGES INQUIRY.

The Hon Barbara Scott MLC, member of the powerful standing
committee on Government Agencies has declared that she
will strongly urge the Committee to conduct a thorough
investigation of the Rindos Affair and the University of
WA's department of archaeology.

"In order to maintain WA's strong minerals based growth and
at the same time preserve our historical heritage it is
imperative that we have an assured supply of first class
archaeologists and anthropologists," Mrs Scott said.

"Mabo has made this need even more actue." 

"As a consequence we simply cannot afford to have the
reputations of such people and one of the country's
premier research institutions, sullied by rumor and
innuendo."

"It seems that the Rindos Affair may be the latest in a
long history of problems with the department."

"Rumors of sexual pressure on females and bias against
males stretching  as far back as the early 80s have been
brought to my attention."

"Given the University's status as a government agency, our
Committee has a clear responsibility to investigate all
these allegations, not only for the good of the state and
its reputation but also to protect individual members of
our community." 

End.