[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Commission Of Inquiry into Tas Police Commissioner Necessary_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY NECESSARY FOR PROPER INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE
DISCLOSURE OF OFFICIAL SECRETS

As Tasmanians Kept in Dark Over Investigation Details

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader

Friday, 15 August 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said that Tasmanians are being kept in the
dark over the investigation surrounding a potential disclosure of
official secrets by Mr Jack Johnston, and demanded that Premier David
Bartlett clarify whether the investigation is connected with other
police investigations into high profile public figures in Tasmania.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that the government should set up a
Commission of Inquiry under Section 4 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act
1995, saying that such a move is the only way to restore public
confidence in the Bartlett government.

Mr McKim explained that under the Act, the Premier can send an immediate
request to the Governor to have such a Commission established, and that
it did not need to wait for the resumption of Parliament. 

"Due to David Bartlett's recalcitrance Tasmania does not have the
framework to properly investigate this issue, and the only way forward
is for the government to set up a properly resourced Commission of
Inquiry to get to the bottom of this affair," Mr McKim said.

"David Bartlett has changed his mind on the need for an independent
investigative authority in Tasmania due to the seriousness of the
matters under investigation, so to be consistent he must also accept the
need for an independent investigation of the allegations against Mr
Johnston." 

"If Tasmania had the independent anti-corruption authority that the
Greens have been demanding for years it could have investigated this
matter, but as we do not have such a body the government must set up a
Commission of Inquiry with an independent and respected legal person to
conduct its affairs."

"It is not appropriate for the police to investigate themselves, which
is the situation we have been left in by Labor's continued refusal to
create an independent investigative body."

"The Bartlett government is lurching from crisis to crisis, and the
Premier must cease his secrecy and keep Tasmanians better informed about
this latest crisis," Mr McKim said.



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