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Australian Prime Minister's Support
for Homophobe Backfires

Publicity Flares Over Attack on Gay High Court Justice Kirby

Biased Senator's 'Evidence' a Fake -- Government in Uproar

Compiled by GayToday

Openly-gay Australian Supreme Court Justice Michael Kirby

Melbourne, Australia-Michael Kirby, an openly gay Justice on Australia's High Court, has been fully vindicated following a week-long series of vicious public attacks on him by homophobic Senator Bill Heffernan.

Justice Kirby, according to the seemingly libelous Senator Heffernan, had transported "rent boys" (male prostitutes) at government expense. The flimsy evidence presented by the senator has been adjudged as fake by police.

The faked evidence had earlier been given credence, however, by Prime Minister John Howard. Now, suddenly, Howard is being forced to demote Senator Heffernan in the wake of his vicious crusade against the wronged Justice. But the Prime Minister is also facing intensifying criticism for his thoughtless collusion with a homophobic mini-mind.

Writing in Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper Michael Harvey said of Prime Minister Howard:

"Mr. Howard was putting as much distance as he could between himself and Senator Heffernan last night, insisting the claims were made without any official go-ahead. But egg is splattered right across the Government's face this morning. Thanks to his shoddy amateur detective work and gay-hating obsession, Senator Heffernan has politically self-immolated and seriously damaged the Government. As Tony Abbott said, the career of either Bill Heffernan or Michael Kirby was inevitably doomed. It turned out to be Senator Heffernan."

Following Heffernan's much-needed apology which, he said, he didn't expect the openly- gay Justice to accept, the following 'forgiving' statement was issued by The Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court of Australia, Mr. Christopher Doogan, speaking on behalf of Justice Kirby:

"My family and I have suffered a wrong. But it is insignificant in comparison to the wrong done to Parliament, the High Court and the people.

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Quotes from Judge Michael Kirby

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"I have been sustained by my innocence, by the love of my partner and family and support and prayers from all sections of the community.

"I accept Senator Heffernan's apology and reach out my hand in a spirit of reconciliation.

"I hope that my ordeal will show the wrongs that hate of homosexuals can lead to.

"Out of this sorry episode, Australians should emerge with a heightened respect for the dignity of all minorities.

"And a determination to be more careful in future to uphold our national institutions - the Parliament and the Judiciary."