Sunday, May 16, 2004
VICTORIA AND ITS WITCHES
"A WITCH support group has dropped its action against a suburban mayor after he denied saying the local witches were evil.
The Pagan Awareness Network has settled its dispute at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with Casey mayor Rob Wilson. Cr Wilson alleged he had been misreported and couldn't remember making the comments.
But Mr Wilson still faces an action at VCAT in August from Olivia Watts, a transgender witch who claims his alleged comments made her an emotional wreck. The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that taxpayers would bear the brunt of Ms Watts' $50,000 legal bill for her test case of Victoria's religious tolerance legislation. The public now looks set to foot the bill for a further $15,000 after Casey Council lost a costs dispute with the witches in a third dispute.
Pagan Awareness Network president David Garland said: "We now intend to turns our attention to matters in Casey."
He said this included organising a full moon ritual in Casey and deciding whether to sue the previous Casey mayor, Brian Oates. It is believed that Mr Oates has threatened the pagans with a defamation action if they pursue him at VCAT."
Mayor spared a hex debt
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - May 14, 2004, P11
Liam Houlihan and Matt Cunningham
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"A WITCH support group has dropped its action against a suburban mayor after he denied saying the local witches were evil.
The Pagan Awareness Network has settled its dispute at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with Casey mayor Rob Wilson. Cr Wilson alleged he had been misreported and couldn't remember making the comments.
But Mr Wilson still faces an action at VCAT in August from Olivia Watts, a transgender witch who claims his alleged comments made her an emotional wreck. The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that taxpayers would bear the brunt of Ms Watts' $50,000 legal bill for her test case of Victoria's religious tolerance legislation. The public now looks set to foot the bill for a further $15,000 after Casey Council lost a costs dispute with the witches in a third dispute.
Pagan Awareness Network president David Garland said: "We now intend to turns our attention to matters in Casey."
He said this included organising a full moon ritual in Casey and deciding whether to sue the previous Casey mayor, Brian Oates. It is believed that Mr Oates has threatened the pagans with a defamation action if they pursue him at VCAT."
Mayor spared a hex debt
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - May 14, 2004, P11
Liam Houlihan and Matt Cunningham
|
