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the annual dinner of the Commercial Travellers Association. Kerry Sibraa was there representing Bill Hayden, then the Federal Opposition Leader. As official guests we had mixed freely.
I had spoken briefly to the two police officers -- Warren Malloy was known to me as a member of the Queenscliff Surf Club. But I certainly had not been aware of any money being passed, nor had I seen a plain envelope.
The story on page seven was headed:
"MPs SON CHARGED OVER DRUGS".
It went on to describe Peter's arrests in lurid detail. The report of the court hearing had been rushed into print within an hour.
I went up to my office and sat behind the desk, feeling sick and disgusted. Staring out across Macquarie Street at the harsh city skyline, I wondered whether the political game was worth playing.
When the case at Central Court was resumed, Coombsie appeared for Peter, who pleaded guilty to all charges. He was fined $75 for causing the serious alarm and affront on the railway platform, and placed on a three year bond on each of the drug offences.
As a result of the findings of the Police Tribunal, Bill Allen was dismissed from the force and Warren Malloy returned to duty as a licensing sergeant.