Australian watchdog gives Cherie Blair charity more time for defence

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2005

SYDNEY (AFP) — An Australian children's charity under investigation over the distribution of proceedes from gala dinner involving British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie, has been given extra time to show why it should not be banned from fundraising.

The Children's Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) is facing mandatory fundraising disqualification in Victoria state because only a fraction of the money raised by the February 10 dinner went to cancer research.

It had been given until Thursday to show just cause why it should not be disqualified but the Victoria Consumer Affairs Office granted an extension at the request of CCIA lawyers.

"Solicitors for CCIA have requested an extension and we have given them until November 3," a consumer affairs...