NT: Judge says cross examination harrowing in stolen gen case

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-1999
NT: Judge says cross examination harrowing in stolen gen case

The judge on the stolen generation compensation case says the Commonwealth's
cross-examination of litigant LORNA CUBILLO was harrowing and distressing.

Justice MAURICE O'LOUGHLIN said yesterday he was distressed by the subject matter of the
Commonwealth's questioning -- which focused on the prison records and drug problems of Mrs
CUBILLO's children.

The 61-year-old is suing the Commonwealth of Australia in the Federal Court in Darwin for
compensation and punitive damanges, along with 52-year-old PETER GUNNER.

They say they were both forcibly removed from their families at the age of eight.

Justice O'LOUGHLIN broke the Australian Bar Association's code to allow Mrs CUBILLO to talk
to her lawyer during cross-examination.

The judge said it was becoming clear the Commonwealth case was that if Mrs CUBILLO suffered
ill health it was for reasons other than or in addition to her removal as a small child.

The case is continuing.

AAP RTV cm/kbw/jn/rt

KEYWORD: STOLEN (DARWIN)

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