PUZZLE... HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN IN AUSTRALIA?

The human mind works in predictable ways. If our government is trying its best to destroy Dawn Rowan, and we have a 'fair go' theory about how Australians are supposed to relate to one another, then somewhere in the back of our minds we might be tempted to ask 'What's Dawn done to bring this on to herself?' So the easy way to avoid 'cognitive dissonance' is to assume she could have accepted a payout and walked away. There's a theory going around Adelaide to this effect.

Here's a summary of Dawn's response to all this:

The facts: 1. THE COMMONWEALTH - FOUND GUILTY BY THE ONLY JUDGE TO VIEW ALL THE EVIDENCE - HAS NEVER MADE AN OFFER TO SETTLE (DESPITE EFFORTS BY ONE OF THEIR QC'S TO SUGGEST SUCH A COURSE). TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE INITIAL TRIAL THEY OFFERED TO 'WALK AWAY' FROM THE CASE IF DAWN DROPPED THE ACTION.

2. DURING THE 1998 MEDIATION PROCESS *** INITIATED BY DAWN *** THREE OF THE PARTIES OFFERED ONLY $200,000 - WHICH COVERED BASIC LEGAL COSTS, BUT NOT LOST TIME OR LOST SALARY OR, MORE IMPORTANTLY, LOSS OF REPUTATION THROUGH DEFAMATION. THE COMMONWEALTH REFUSED TO BE PART OF THIS PROCESS.

URGENT: PLEASE CONTACT MAL BROUGH BY EMAIL ASKING HIM TO ACT.

UPDATE: The next (adjourned) bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for 24th August at the Federal Bankruptcy Court in Adelaide. Unfortunately, whatever Dawn's emotional health at that time, she feels she has to be there, as the court can appoint someone else to act for her! Please pray for strength for Dawn at this difficult time.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP.

ROWLAND CROUCHER, July 20/23/28, 2007.

JULY 2007: ADJOURNMENT

July 19, 2007: Probably several of you got the same letter I did (today) from the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock. It said, in part: 'I understand the bankruptcy proceedings were issued on instructions from the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA)... The question of whether to pursue Ms Rowan for costs is a matter for FACSIA to consider. There is no general principle preventing the Commonwealth from enforcing costs orders in its favour. In fact, Commonwealth financial management legislation (section 47 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997) requires agencies to pursue recovery of debts in most cases'.

My response: 'What does "in most cases" mean?' Could this government - even this government - find an exception on compassionate grounds in this case?'

FACSIA is under the jurisdiction of Mal Brough. It is important that Mr. Brough hears from many of us - from varying locations around Australia - in the next week, to draw this matter to his urgent attention. It's easy: do it here.

Meanwhile Dawn is still very low, and her doctor is unwilling to give his approval for her to face court at this time. Please pray for her.

Rowland Croucher

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Today: 4th July 2007: Dawn has collapsed emotionally, and has a Stress Disorder prohibition from her doctor preventing her going to Adelaide for the Bankruptcy Hearing which was to have been held tomorrow (5th). All the parties have agreed today to adjourn the case for a few weeks.

Which is good news (for now) - AND GIVES US ALL MORE TIME TO CONTACT FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARIANS ON DAWN'S BEHALF. (See below for addresses/contact details)

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DID YOU REALIZE ??? (see videos and updates below)

*** THAT SOMEONE IN AUSTRALIA CAN WIN A COURT CASE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT, I.E. BE DECLARED INNOCENT, BUT STILL HAVE TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT'S COSTS?

*** THAT OFFICIAL RECORDS RELATING TO THIS CASE CAN 'GO MISSING' FROM FIVE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS (INCLUDING POLICE, CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND CROWN SOLICITORS DEPT) AND NO ONE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

*** THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENT $500,000 TO BRING DAVID HICKS HOME, BUT SPENT MUCH MORE TO DEFEND THE INDEFENSIBLE AGAINST AN INNOCENT PERSON?

*** THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DISCLOSE TO THE TAXPAYER ANY INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH WAS SPENT BUT... ARE SEEKING $400,000 (THE VALUE OF DAWN ROWAN'S ASSETS) WHICH WILL LEAVE DAWN HOMELESS AND PENNILESS AFTER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DISADVANTAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY?

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*** JULIAN BURNSIDE QC: 'I have carefully considered your situation... You have exhausted all possibilities of legal recourse... It is now important that your story be known by the public rather than buried... Be more assertive in pushing this issue in the media. Exposure of the Commonwealth's shabby behaviour might cause a change of heart.'