Fed: Tim Costello apologise over Karratha comment

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2000
Fed: Tim Costello apologise over Karratha comment

Reverend TIM COSTELLO, brother of Treasurer PETER COSTELLO, has apologised for labelling
the Perth town of Karratha a slag heap of despair and Australia's domestic violence capital
in a new book.

Rev COSTELLO admits his book contained some inaccuracies and says he apologises for
any offence caused to the people in the Pilbara town.

He says he heard the domestic violence capital label at the Karratha ABC before doing
an interview.

However, Karratha ABC reporter VANESSA MILLS says her interview with him on December
3, 1998, had not touched on domestic violence issues.

In the book, Tips From a Travelling Soul Searcher, Rev COSTELLO says many men in the
community become violent when their children make noise as they play, and women stay inside
air-conditioned houses out of fear of violence as well as the heat.

A spokeswoman from the Pilbara region domestic violence council says the claims are rubbish.

West Australian Premier RICHARD COURT says Rev COSTELLO'S comments were highly inappropriate
and advises the reverend to go and spend some time in the community.

AAP RTV sd/dmc/jn

KEYWORD: COSTELLO KARRATHA (PERTH)

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