Page 1715 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 30 April 1991
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Mr Dowd was for a long time actively involved in human rights affairs in his State and nationally. He was a member of the International Commission of Jurists, and it was in that context that I came to know his work involved in, of course, East Timor, and latterly, of my more direct knowledge, his involvement with the refugees coming from West Papua - known as Irian Jaya to the Indonesians. I found it very refreshing to be with Mr Dowd, at all times, and I also, of course, to continue the pun, enjoyed the refreshments that he and I both shared from the noble grape. He was an excellent confidant at times when I sought his advice about the ways and forms of approaching issues, particularly in dealing with such sensitive areas of government as dealing with judges and magistrates, how to deal with appointments, and how to raise issues in government where there may be perceived to be conflicts of interest.
I regret Mr Dowd's resignation. I want to record that it was my personal view that he set a human face to the New South Wales Government. I also want to record that I think the New South Wales Government will be without a very strong human image to their Cabinet. It was my view, in the last six months, that Mr Dowd may well have felt uncomfortable with some decisions and directions that were being taken, but certainly he is a person of integrity. I also was very pleased to be present when he recorded his taking of silk recently - silk, of course, which he took via the bar process in New South Wales and not via any appointment to himself. I think that did him great credit. He waited a long time for that and I think it was a very fine occasion to see an Attorney who did not appoint himself a silk and resisted that inevitable pressure and temptation to join those ranks.
I thank Mr Dowd publicly for the support he gave me and, indirectly, the people of this Territory, and for the courtesy and the hospitality he offered as New South Wales Attorney-General.
White Collar Crime
MR STEVENSON (9.44): On 15 April 1991, Leon Zwier was accorded full partnership of the established law firm, Arnold Bloch, Leibler & Associates. A request was recently made to me by the Victorian Law Society to supply documents concerning Leon Zwier. I did this, and I believe that inquiries are being made into the matter in Victoria.
On 17 June 1985, Alexander Gajic filled out a court document in relation to the liquidation of Joyfrey Nominees Pty Ltd. This document was a questionnaire for directors and officers. Under question 3(b), "What happened to those assets?", Gajic wrote in his own hand:
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