Harvey gives evidence at inquest

A former AFL coach has rejected suggestions he was unwilling to improve a pool fence at his Melbourne home where a toddler drowned. Mr Harvey is giving evidence at an inquest into the death of three-year-old Lauren Harris, who drowned in September 2008 at the Essendon home her parents rented from Mr Harvey. The former Essendon AFL player has been granted immunity from prosecution in relation to the evidence he is giving at the inquest. In a statement to the hearing, Mr Harvey said he believed he complied with all legal requirements when he constructed the pool in 1995. Mr Harvey said Dean Ramus, a council inspector, had visited the home in 2004 and told him works needed to be done to the pool area. He denied he was reluctant to make improvements to the pool fence. 'I confirm that at no stage during my meeting with Mr Ramus did I say that I was reluctant to undertake any rectification work in regard to the pool area,' Mr Harvey said in a statement tendered at the inquest. He said he made improvements to the fence after the discussion, including resetting parts of a bluestone barbecue and resealing mortar in the barbecue. 'Mr Ramus did not tell me that I needed to put a fence around the BBQ,' Mr Harvey said in the statement. 'Mr Ramus did not advise me to demolish the existing pool fence and replace it. 'If he had made either of these matters clear to me, I would not have had an issue in spending the money in accordance with his advice or recommendations.' Before Mr Harvey began his evidence his lawyer Aine Magee applied for him to be indemnified from criminal prosecution and civil penalty in relation to the evidence he is giving. Mr Harvey could potentially be exposed to the prospect of criminal charges, including perjury and possibly at the higher end manslaughter, the court heard. Deputy State Coroner Iain West granted the application. The inquest is continuing