NT: Bob Collins took own life, coroner finds=2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2008
NT: Bob Collins took own life, coroner finds=2

Mr CAVANAGH says it's not his usual practice to release findings relating to intentional
self harm.

But he says this case involves intense public and media speculation .. and the family
understands the situation.

Mr COLLINS also suffered serious injuries in a road crash in Kakadu National Park in
2004 .. just before the child abuse allegations became public.

Mr CAVANAGH says he carefully considered if that might have been an attempt by Mr COLLINS
to end his life .. but he can't make a determination.

Mr CAVANAGH says he won't hold a public inquest into the death .. and he's declined
to be interviewed on the matter.

Mr COLLINS was a Labor senator for 11 years after serving as an MP in the Northern
Territory parliament for a decade .. including as territory Labor leader.

In September 2006 he was also charged in Canberra over three offences alleged to have
taken place in the capital in September 1989.

He faced two charges of committing acts of indecency on a 12-year-old boy and one of
sexual intercourse with the child.

AAP RTV tr/bart

KEYWORD: COLLINS 2 DARWIN (REOPENS)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.