NSW: NSW Young Australian winner could lose title, job

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2006
NSW: NSW Young Australian winner could lose title, job

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - The NSW Young Australian of the Year could be stripped of her
title if she is found to have been involved in wrongdoing, NSW Premier Morris Iemma says.

Muslim leader Iktimal Hage-Ali, 22, was arrested by Middle Eastern Organised Crime
Squad police on November 22 and questioned over an alleged cocaine supply ring before
being released without charge, News Limited reported today.

Ms Hage-Ali, who has vehemently denied any involvement or links to alleged drug suppliers,
is a member of Prime Minister John Howard's Muslim Reference Group and works for the NSW
Attorney-General's Department.

"If it is true, why hasn't it come out?" she told today's The Daily Telegraph.

"I'm a high-profile person, I have no idea why people would be saying this."

Mr Iemma today said he was restricted in what he could say about Ms Hage-Ali because
police investigations were ongoing.

The Attorney-General's Department was reviewing Ms Hage-Ali's employment and it was
possible her title of NSW Young Australian of the Year would be revoked, he said.

"There is a provision if there's any matter found against a winner for the title to
be stripped," Mr Iemma told reporters.

"Her employment position is being reviewed by the Attorney-General's Department."

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney confirmed several people had been charged by the
Middle Eastern Crime Squad in relation to the alleged drug ring.

"Other persons have been arrested and charged by the Middle Eastern Organised Crime
Squad and those matters are pending before the courts," Mr Moroney told reporters.

"The police investigation by the Middle Eastern Crime Squad is continuing."

AAP pj/hn/jm/sp

KEYWORD: HAGEALI

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