Fed: Clark wins ATSIC chair by slim majority

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Fed: Clark wins ATSIC chair by slim majority

By Charisse Ede

MELBOURNE, Dec 19 AAP - Aboriginal leader Geoff Clark beat off strong challenges byfive ATSIC commissioners today to retain his role as chairman of the national indigenousbody.

Mr Clark, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) chairman since 1999,was returned by the smallest possible margin.

He defeated NSW commissioner Steve Gordon nine votes to eight, after the Northern Territory'sKim Hill and Alison Anderson, Tasmanian Rodney Dillon and "Sugar" Ray Robinson of Queenslandwere eliminated on preferences.

Mr Robinson was returned as deputy leader and WA commissioner Terry Whitby was electeddeputy alternative.

Mr Clark brushed aside concerns that pending court action against him made his chairmanshipimpossible.

"If you think that's the case I wouldn't be sitting here," he told reporters.

"The fact is there may be allegations but that's all they are, they're allegations.

If you want to continue that rubbish that's for you to decide."

Mr Clark intends to plead not guilty to 19 criminal charges at a trial next year overan alleged clash with police at Warrnambool in Victoria's south-west.

He was also at the centre of rape allegations by three women dating back to the 1980s,but a 12-month police inquiry failed to find sufficient evidence to support the claims.

Mr Clark also rejected suggestions the close vote indicated he did not have a mandate.

Mr Clark and Mr Robinson used their re-elections to launch scathing attacks on theAustralian media and the treatment of Aborigines by state and federal governments.

"We're not going to sit back and tolerate the manner in which you're treating Aboriginalpeople in this country," Mr Clark said.

"We're strong, we need to be proud, we need to be proud of who we are and I think weneed to take our cause further.

Mr Robinson accused the federal government of having an agenda to dismantle ATSIC.

"If any other government department was put under the same scrutiny as ATSIC, theywouldn't survive, they wouldn't stand up," he said.

Mr Clark said he would continue to highlight the plight of indigenous people, to fightfor native title rights, for greater flexibility in ATSIC funding and for greater understandingof the problems facing Aborigines.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Philip Ruddock said Mr Clark was a vigorous proponent ofhis people and the government would continue to work constructively with him.

"I have been able to (work well) with Geoff Clark ... he has been able to work withthe government and I am sure we will endeavour to work with all the commissioners includingthe deputy," he said

Mr Ruddock will meet with the new commission tomorrow.

Opposition Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs spokesman Chris Evans saidit was disappointing there had been a substantial drop in the number of female commissioners.

Democrats indigenous affairs spokesman Aden Ridgeway congratulated the leadership team.

"I call on all Australians to respect ATSIC as Australia's principal democraticallyelected indigenous organisation and its vision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople and communities freely exercising their legal, economic, social, cultural and politicalrights," he said.

AAP ce/jlw/sek/de

KEYWORD: ATSIC NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)