NT: Stolen generation judge says he s distressed

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-1999
NT: Stolen generation judge says he s distressed

The Federal Court judge of the stolen generation compensation case says he was distressed
by the subject matter in a cross-examination of litigant LORNA CUBILLO.

Justice MAURICE O'LAUGHLIN adjourned a cross-examination of 61-year-old Mrs CUBILLO by the
commonwealth about her children's criminal record and drug addiction.

Mrs CUBILLO, along with PETER GUNNER, is suing the commonwealth for compensation, alleging
she was forcibly removed from her family in Central Australia as an eight-year-old girl.

Justice O'LAUGHLIN interrupted counsel for the commonwealth, ELIZABETH HOLLINGWORTH after
Mrs CUBILLO baulked at answering one of her questions.

He said he would allow the most unusual situation of letting Mrs CUBILLO'S counsel explain
to her that the cross-examination was necessary and then adjourned.

After the adjournment the judge said he found the subject matter to be distressing.

Justice O'LAUGHLIN said the cross-examination must continue because the commonwealth was
trying to prove it was not responsible for psychological or mental trauma for allegedly taking
Mrs CUBILLO away.

The court heard today that two of Mrs CUBILLO'S six children had been in trouble with the
law since the 1970s.

AAP RTV cm/bd/shm/jn

KEYWORD: STOLEN (DARWIN)

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