[Greens-Media] Inquiry into Labor leader bribe offer will clear the air – one way or the other

[John Kaye]

Inquiry into Labor leader bribe offer will clear the air – one way or the other

Media release: 26 March 2014

The Greens today successfully moved a motion to establish an Upper House Select Committee to inquire into John Robertson's handling of a $3 million bribe offer from now-deceased stand-over man Michael McGurk.

Greens NSW MP John Kaye, who successfully negotiated all-party support for his motion, was keen to ensure that the inquiry was fair while providing the people of NSW with genuine answers.

Dr Kaye said: "The composition of the committee is designed so that the Opposition cannot shut down the inquiry and the Government cannot turn it into a witch hunt.

"Mr Robertson says he has done nothing wrong while the government alleges he has a case to answer on how he handled questions and possible conflicts of interest about Currawong while he was a minister. This inquiry will rapidly get to the bottom of the claims and counter-claims.

"NSW politics rockets from bad to worse. The only cure for the crisis in public confidence in both major parties is exposure of all players to vigorous questioning.

"John Robertson's decision to go public on Michael McGurk's offer of a bribe six years after it was made opens up a number of questions about how he handled himself once he entered parliament.

"This inquiry will give the parliament an opportunity to challenge the Opposition Leader to explain why it took so long to go public and how he handled any conflicts of interest that might have arisen.

"The O'Farrell government's first attempt at setting up this inquiry was doomed to fail. It was designed to set up a Star Chamber inquisition that was more about headlines than getting to the truth.

"The motion places the focus on John Robertson and what he did as a Minister and creates a balanced committee that will get the job done," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195455

Motion:

1.        That a Select Committee inquire into and report on matters surrounding the alleged offer of a bribe in relation to a sale of the property Currawong, Pittwater by Unions NSW including but not limited to the circumstances surrounding:

(a)      the  purchase  by  the  Land  and  Property  Management  Authority  of  the  property Currawong from Ecovillages Australia Pty Ltd,

(b)      the ministerial propriety of the actions and statements of Mr John Robertson MP arising from the selling of the property Currrawong, owned by Unions NSW, including but not limited to:

(i)       any  answers  to  questions  whilst  a  Minister  and  member  of  the  Legislative Council,
(ii)      his obligations, whilst a Minister of the Crown in the Legislative Council,  to report offences, or possible offences,
(iii)     whether at any times he breached the Code of Ministerial responsibility in failing to advise Cabinet of matters associated with the sale of Currawong,
(iv)     whether at any times he breached the Code of Ministerial responsibility in failing to advise Cabinet of matters associated with any offer of a bribe by Mr Michael McGurk,
(v)      any conflicts of interests that Mr Robertson may have had,

(c)      the ministerial propriety of the actions and statements of Ministers and Members of the Parliament of New South Wales and the Commonwealth Parliament relating to the sale of the property Currrawong, owned by Unions NSW, and

(d)      any other related matter.

2.        That the Select Committee consist of:

(a)      three members of the Government,
(b)      two members of the Opposition,
(c)      Dr John Kaye, and
(d)      Mr Robert Brown.

3.        That Mr Brown is to Chair the Committee.

4.        That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the standing orders, at any meeting of the Committee, any four members of the Committee will constitute a quorum.

5.        That a Committee member who is unable to attend a deliberative meeting in  person  may participate by electronic communication and may move any motion and be  counted for the purpose of any quorum or division, provided that:

(a)      the Chair is present in the meeting room,

(b)      all members are able to speak and hear each other at all times, and

(c)      a member may not participate by electronic communication in a meeting to consider a draft report.

6.        The Committee is to report no later than 28 June 2014.


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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP

P: (02) 9230 2668 | F: facebook.com/john.kaye.mlc<http://www.facebook.com/john.kaye.mlc> | T: @johnkgreens<twitter.com/johnkgreens> | W: www.johnkaye.org.au<http://www.johnkaye.org.au>
Mail: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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