NEW EVIDENCE EXPECTED AT LEVI INQUIRY

Substantial evidence was left out of the inquest into the police shooting of
French photographer Mr Roni Levi that should have been included, the Police
Integrity Commission was told yesterday.

During a public hearing into applications by those who want to be legally
represented at the inquiry, Mr Robert Cavanaugh, counsel for Mr Levi's wife,
Ms Melinda Dundas, submitted that she had a direct interest as she was an
"injured party" and was entitled to know what happened to her husband.

Levi, who was armed with a knife, was shot dead by police on Bondi Beach on
June 28, 1997.

The PIC inquiry - due to begin on November 1 - will investigate allegations
that Constable Rodney Podesta and Senior Constable Anthony Dilorenzo were
affected by drugs and/or alcohol at the time they were involved in the fatal
shooting.

It will also focus on allegations concerning the involvement of current and
former members of the NSW Police Service in the use and supply of prohibited
drugs and whether there was any police misconduct or corruption in relation
to the investigation of the shooting.

Evidence from the inquest was referred to the Director of Public
Prosecutions, Mr Nicholas Cowdery, QC, for a legal analysis. Mr Cowdery
cleared the officers of criminal liability.

At yesterday's hearing, counsel for the NSW Police Association, Mr Ron
Jenkins, submitted that the union had a direct and substantial contribution
to make in that the inquiry may impact on all its members in respect to
random or mandatory drug testing and may impact on the way fatal shootings
are investigated in the future.

The Commissioner of the NSW Police Integrity Commission, Judge Paul
Urquhart, said that as a matter of law police officers Podesta and
Dilorenzo, as well as the NSW Police Service, were entitled to be granted
legal representation. He said he would give further consideration to the
other parties and deliver his decision next Wednesday.