A Question of Power: The Geoff Clark CaseA gripping courtroom drama and a fearless work of investigative journalism, A Question of Power is the story of a man who spent his life gaining power only to be accused of its ultimate abuse. Geoff Clark was once the most powerful Aboriginal man in Australia. As chairman of ATSIC he was at the pinnacle of his career when, in 2001, newspaper reports revealed that four women accused him of rape. The crimes they described were brutal--but the claims, dating back to the 1970s, were difficult to test. In A Question of Power, Michelle Schwarz interviews the key players in the case: Clark, the women who accused him, their respective supporters and lawyers. She digs deep to show the story behind the case and explores the hard questions it raises. Was this a case of trial by media? Was there more to the story than the first reports suggested? What do we really know about Geoff Clark? |
Contents
Introduction | 5 |
Incident at the Criterion Hotel | 17 |
Carol Stingel | 29 |
The Civil Trial | 70 |
Joanne McGuinness | 97 |
Conclusion | 202 |
Endnotes | 209 |
Common terms and phrases
Aborig Aboriginal community accused Age article Alice Clark Andrew Rule asked ATSIC Australian Banjo Clarke believe Bernice Clarke Brambuk called Carol Stingel charges Clark's lawyers court cousin criminal defend face fight football Framling Framlingham community Framlingham forest Framlingham Trust friends Geoff Clark Glen Price half-caste happened Howard Ian Clarke indigenous community interviewed Janet Malcolm Jidah Joanne McGuinness journalist jury kids Kirrae knew land leader Lenny Clarke lived looked Malmsbury McGuinness's Melbourne Mick Fitzgerald never Noorat Pat O'Shane police political Port Fairy Power and Rape Purnim Bears racist rape allegations remember reported Richter Robert Richter rumours saw Geoff Clark sexual assault someone spoke Stephen Clark story street talk tell There's things tion Tobin told town trial by media Trudy trying Victoria violence walked Warrnambool Standard woman women Wordy Lowe