WA: Unionist fined $100 for wanting to approach Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2001
WA: Unionist fined $100 for wanting to approach Howard

PERTH, Aug 15 AAP - A union official ordered to stay away from John Howard during the
prime minister's recent visit to Perth was fined $100 today.

Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) WA branch secretary John Theodorsen was arrested
shortly before the prime minister arrived at a community function in Perth on July 27.

Mr Theodorsen had been holding the giant cheque-like "Telstra pledge" signed by opposition
communications spokesman Stephen Smith, and had wanted to add Mr Howard's signature to
it.

As part of bail conditions after his first court appearance, the unionist was ordered
not to go within 500 metres of the prime minister.

Mr Theodorsen pleaded guilty to a charge of trespass in the Perth magistrates court
today, and was fined $100.

No conviction was recorded.

Outside the court, he said he was disappointed he had been punished for making a peaceful
protest and he had not realised he had been breaking the law.

"I'll continue to promote the issue of the Telstra sale and to pressure the prime minister
to come clean about his government's intentions about it," said Mr Theodorsen.

"But I will be more circumspect in the manner in which I do it in the future."

Mr Howard had been in WA for four days for the WA Liberal party conference.

He also made a last-minute visit to drought-affected areas of the state after pressure
from farming groups.

AAP sd/mg/bwl

KEYWORD: HOWARD UNIONIST

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