NSW:HageAli relinquishes NSW Young Australian of theYear Award=2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2006
NSW:HageAli relinquishes NSW Young Australian of theYear Award=2

Ms Hage-Ali has not been charged in relation to the incident.

Since her involvement in the drug bust was reported by Sydney newspapers, Ms Hage-Ali
has protested her innocence, saying she has never been involved in drug supply.

But in a statement issued by her lawyer Stephen Hopper, Ms Hage-Ali said she had decided
to relinquish her NSW Young Australian of the Year Award, saying her position was no longer
tenable.

"It is with a heavy heart that I relinquish this award and I sincerely thank the organisers
and the people who have supported me," she said.

"The award should not be tarnished by negative publicity about me.

"I do not want circumstances that effect me to diminish the status of the Award or
the fine reputation of people who work hard to make this Award what it is.

Ms Hage-Ali said she contacted National Manager of the Australian of the Year Award
Program Tamara Johnson yesterday to inform her she could not hold onto the award given
the media coverage.

She has also withdrawn from the Young Australian of the Year national process.

Yesterday, Ms Hage-Ali took leave from her job at the NSW Attorney-General's Department.

AAP ab/klw/jt/de

KEYWORD: HAGEALI 2 SYDNEY

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