To; The Editor The Sunday Telegraph

As the person who was the subject of the article "Guard told to take Prison Riot off Net" in the Sunday Telegraph 9 April, 2000.

I must, in relation to that article, correct the inaccurate reporting and state a few facts.

I am certain you value the so called "Freedom of the Press" that we have in this country. I to value the few freedoms that I have left. I think the truth is important too.

Your reporter seems to have missed the point, the dispute between me and my employer is NOT about guns, but about the freedoms of the individual.

One thing is certain if I was homosexual and published a Web page promoting GAY rights. The Department would not have said a word. No matter what I put on that Web page.

• Initially I was REFUSED permission by my Department to speak to your reporter Matt HORAN when he approached me for my input to the story.



• They now have given me permission to write this letter.



• Responsible firearm ownership is a legitimate pastime so to is the hunting of feral pests.



• To my knowledge I am NOT under investigation at this time.



• I have NEVER been "threatened with disciplinary action for bringing the Department into disrepute".



• The images of me with the person your paper describes as "mad dog" McCafferty was taken by the media WITHOUT my permission. I have the permission from the media outlet concerned to use the images on my Web Page.



• The issue of "linking" to sites in the USA has already been dealt with and resolved by the Department and myself.



• "Gun Laws"? I as, Secretary of the Prison Officers Pistol Club and as a twenty year member of the Sporting Shooters Association, have a need and a right to speak out for myself and fellow members, against unjust laws that affect the sport.



• Despite what your article states I have the Departments permission to "link" to the Departments "official" web page. Under certain conditions.



• The "357 Magnum pistol" that the report claims I am posing with is NOT mine. It belongs to the Department and the image was taken at the Departments target range whilst taking part in the Police games where I was representing my Department. And I have their Permission to publish those images.



• As for the claim that the Department is concerned about "links to terrorist web pages". This is all very hypothetical as in theory all web pages are linked together. Including the Departments own site. I have NEVER been accused, charged, questioned or been given any specific orders in relation to this concern.



• My information appears to show that my Department is NOT using the same policy as the NSW Police Service in relation to personal internet usage. In fact they have, as far as I can see only applied "the policy" against me and nobody else.



• The Departments "Code of Conduct" is at best, ambagious and contradictory.

However despite our dispute I think the Department and I can agree on two things.;

• My personal viewpoints and opinions are just that, my own personal viewpoints and opinions.



• And that I have, never wanted to, nor intended to, "bring the Department into disrepute" at any time.

Yours Faithfully.

M. J KAY. 11 April, 2000.

What The Administrative Decisions Tribunal had to say about "Freedom of Information"?

What The Australian Press Council had to say about the "article"?

E-Mail The Chairman The Australian Press Council

E-Mail The Editor The Sunday Telegraph

E-Mail The Reporter Matt HORAN

E-Mail Michael KAY

Back To My Home Page

"If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."

Samuel Adams.