[Greens-Media] Senate scrutiny will apply to bank guarantees - Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Senate scrutiny will apply to bank guarantees - Brown

Any move by the Rudd government to circumvent parliament with new multi-billion dollar bank guarantees is likely to trigger serious senate scrutiny, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"If the government extends taxpayer-backed guarantees without legislation, it's likely it would trigger an urgent Senate inquiry. Such an inquiry could summon treasury and banking advice to government and seek expert opinion within days of the government action.

"The Greens will respond to any extra-parliamentary guarantees with a request to the Senate to set up an immediate inquiry," Senator Brown said.

Last week, in the chamber, Senator Brown criticised the lack of scrutiny of the government's legislation to guarantee bank deposits.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ebony Bennett
Media Advisor 
Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens 
e: ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au 
m: 0409 164 603 | p: (02) 6277 3170 | f: (02) 6277 3185
w: www.bobbrown.org.au <http://www.bobbrown.org.au/>   <http://www.greens.org.au>