WA: Just a handful watch episode one of Hancock inquest

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2001
WA: Just a handful watch episode one of Hancock inquest

By Selina Day

PERTH, April 9 AAP - It promises to be the best show in town, but there was only a
tiny audience in the public gallery for the opening of the inquest into the death of Lang
Hancock.

Lawyers and journalists today easily outnumbered members of the public in Perth's District
Court, chosen instead of the tiny coroner's court because of its ability to handle larger
crowds of onlookers.

Four lawyers, including two QCs, took the bench as counsel for Gina Rinehart, daughter
of the mining magnate who died nine years ago last month.

Three solicitors represented Mr Hancock's widow Rose and her current husband Willie Porteous.

The legal teams and 15 journalists contrasted with about seven members of the public,
who included two university law students.

Mrs Porteous, wearing a white suit with a cream handbag and matching shoes, arrived
at the court with Mr Porteous 10 minutes before proceedings were due to begin, and took
her place alongside her husband in the public gallery.

Mrs Rinehart, in a navy suit, appeared moments later with son John and QC Mark Trowell
and sat with her counsel. John sat towards the back of the public gallery.

Mr and Mrs Porteous and Mrs Rinehart and her son are among 62 people due to give evidence
or tender statements to the inquest, set down until May 11.

A witness list suggests the Rineharts will speak to the court days if not weeks before
Mr and Mrs Porteous give evidence, but neither of the key parties look set to do so before
at least next week.

Among those to tender statements to the inquest is former Queensland premier Sir Joh
Bjelke-Petersen, who is not expected to be in Perth, while among those giving evidence
will be Mrs Porteous' daughter Joanna Lacson.

Moments after the inquest officially began, counsel for Mrs Porteous told coroner Alistair
Hope that Mr and Mrs Porteous did not propose to be in court all the time during the inquest.

Mr Hope replied that they - as well as all witnesses - could come and go as they pleased.

Within minutes, Mr Porteous promptly left the courtroom, followed moments later by his wife.

Approached by photographers outside the courtroom, Mrs Porteous said: "I am quite happy
to pose for photographs. I appreciate all your support."

She duly sat on a bench outside the courthouse with Willie, "my greatest support",
and posed briefly for photographs before leaving.

AAP sd/sp/mg/brO

KEYWORD: HANCOCK SCENE (PIX AVAILABLE)

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