Fed: Clark must stand down: ATSIC commissioner

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Fed: Clark must stand down: ATSIC commissioner

MELBOURNE, Aug 9 AAP - Geoff Clark must stand down as the chair of ATSIC after beingcharged by police for his involvement in a brawl, commissioner Jenny Pryor said today.

Mr Clark is one of two men charged on summons over a brawl at a Warrnambool hotel onMay 1 this year. He was to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates Court on August 27.

Ms Pryor, a north Queensland ATSIC commissioner, said the accusations against Mr Clarkwere tarnishing the organisation's credibility.

"He needs to show some leadership in the situation and stand aside so we can get onwith the job," she told 3AW.

"He is the top Aboriginal leader in this country and he should think seriously nowabout his position as our chairperson of ATSIC."

Ms Pryor said the ATSIC Act did not require officers to stand down if they had beencharged by police.

She called on Indigenous Affairs Minister Philip Ruddock to change the Act.

"We need to move towards having more flexibility in the act for this type of behaviour,because it cannot continue," she said.

"It tarnishes the calibre of leadership within ATSIC and also the reputation of whatATSIC was set up for.

"I'd be moving towards calling on the minister to make sure that the appropriate amendmentsare made to the act so this type of situation doesn't arise."

Ms Pryor said if Mr Clark did not stand down, the people would choose whether he shouldremain as chair at the upcoming ATSIC election on October 19.

Comment is being sought from the ATSIC executive.

AAP ce/jlw/las/bwl

KEYWORD: ATSIC CLARK