Steven Fennell of Macleay Island who has been helping Police in their investigation of the sudden death of Lisalotte Watson has sent me the following press release from Phoenix House on Wednesday:
“The Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) funded the Community Development Group Limited (which sponsored the organisation Phoenix House Australia) under the Volunteer Grants program 2009
FaHCSIA is not investigating the use of this grant funding.
Evidence of expenditure of the grant funding was provided by the organisation and FaHCSIA is satisfied that funds were used in accordance with grant guidelines”.
This recent communication from FaHCSIA confirms earlier advice from FaHCSIA that Steven Fennell is not; and was not under investigation for fraud at the time of the allegation made by the Brisbane Courier Mail.
Phoenix House wishes to advise those sponsors and supporters that have been contacted by the the QPS (Queensland Police Service) that Phoenix House seeks to take legal advice regarding the allegation that some police officers that have strongly suggested (without investigation or interview with Phoenix House) that Phoenix House is other than a bona-fide and registered Self Help Organisation.
Phoenix House also intents to support Mr Fennell in his complaint to the CMC regarding actions that Mr Fennell says have caused his business to suffer considerable losses and his voluntary position at Phoenix House to be attacked without merit."
See
Courier Mail and
Bayside Bulletin stories. The FaHCSIA website is
here and the Phoenix House Macleay Island website is
here
