Vic: Tug of war over meteorite piece = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-1999
Vic: Tug of war over meteorite piece = 2

Ross Dowe, of the National Space Centre, said the plan to send the meteorite piece
to Switzerland appeared to be "highly irregular".

Mr Dowe said each state had its own law on the ownership of such material as meteorite
pieces. In Victoria, unlike South Australia, Western Australia and the territories, the
ownership of such an object was "effectively finders-keepers".

He said he understood approval from Canberra would be required for the piece to be
sent out of Australia and Ms Johnson would have to sign a release form.

Mr Dowe said Switzerland was not "the official home of meteorites".

"Our interest is to make sure that Kelly's wishes to get it back are fulfilled."

AAP er/cjh

KEYWORD: METEORS 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)

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