GAGGED BY INQUIRY: BOY 'DRUG RUNNER' IS READY TO TELL ALL

A 17-year-old boy was gagged from giving evidence to a parliamentary
inquiry into drug and policing issues in Cabramatta yesterday.

He was prevented from talking for his own protection as a minor and because
the inquiry could not protect him from defamation.

The boy, known only by an alias of "James", wanted to recount his
experience in teen gang drug-running activity in the area from the age of
11 until 18 months ago when he finally got free of heroin, he told the
Heraldlater.

But before James could utter a word at the hearing, the seven-member
committee, headed by Independent Upper House MP Mrs Helen Sham-Ho, agreed
it would take his submission only in writing.

The teenager, the first youth claiming to have been active in drug dealing
in the area to seek to give evidence to the committee, was told by Labor MP
Mr Ron Dyer that the "Community Consultation" hearing in Cabramatta was not
subject to privilege of Parliament.

Mr Dyer ruled that to hear evidence from the youth without the protection
of privilege "would imperil the young person" and the "integrity of the
hearings".