News briefs

ADELAIDE — The South Australian government's Police Complaints Authority recorded 1133 complaints in the past financial year, an increase of almost 30% on the 1992-93 total. The most common complaints were demeanour, use of physical measures, entry/search procedures, harassment, threats and control of information.

The PCA has recommended that 15 officers face disciplinary charges and eight face criminal charges. Four hundred and forty complaints were discovered to have no basis for further investigation; 327 were either informally resolved or a settlement was reached.

BRISBANE — Queensland head of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Zrinka Johnston has been forced to transfer out of her top job after an internal investigation, resulting from an industrial revolt by the commission workers here, including a four-day strike. The decision of the inquiry, announced on August 29, meant that Johnston was replaced immediately as head of the Brisbane office.

Community and Public Sector Union assistant branch secretary Philp Statham said the decision meant staff would be able to improve the effectiveness of their work. Commission employees had claimed in a memorandum in April that Johnston had "little knowledge" of sexual and racial discrimination laws.

From GLW issue 158