[Greens-Media] Latest Tony Stewart allegations referred to ICAC

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
10 November 2008


Latest Tony Stewart allegations referred to ICAC


Greens MP Lee Rhiannon will refer information provided to her by two
former detective sergeants about Labor MP Tony Stewart to the
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

"There are now three incidents were serving and former police officers
have stated that they were threatened by Mr Stewart to stop operational
work they were carrying out," Ms Rhiannon said.

"These latest incidents need to be urgently investigated by ICAC.

"I will also forward the information I have received from the two
former detective sergeants in western Sydney to Premier Nathan Rees.

"I understand that in the mid 1990s Tony Stewart approached both
detective sergeants on separate occasions in what they found to be a
threatening and intimidating manner. 

"Mr Stewart's demand was that the police stop investigating certain
constituents over serious criminal activities.

"These allegations are similar to allegations raised by former
Bankstown area commander, Superintendent Dave Darcy, who has claimed
that Mr Stewart threatened to name him in the NSW parliament if he
charged a colleague, George Zeitoune, over the operations of one of his
security firms. 

"Mr Zeitoune's security companies have made $2900 in political
donations to Mr Stewart over the past four years. 

"The latest allegations that I will refer to ICAC need to be
immediately investigated. 

"The current inquiry into Mr Stewart being chaired by barrister Chris
Ronalds SC, should also consider the three incidents were police
officers have reported being threatened by the Labor MP. 

*The Premier's own reputation will be damaged if he fails to
decisively deal with these latest complaints about Tony Stewart's
behaviour,* Ms Rhiannon said.


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