25 May 2011

Latest CMC investigation into political corruption doomed to fail without Nuttall indemnity

The latest CMC investigation into political corruption, motivated by allegations from Gordon Nuttall, is doomed to fail and could be considered a stunt, if it isn't assisted, as was the Fitzgerald Inquiry, by the offer of immunities from prosecution to a star witness, Member for Burnett Rob Messenger said today.

During State Parliament's Question Time today, Mr Messenger queried the Attorney-General over his role in granting immunities from prosecution, under the Attorney General Act 1999, which indicates that onlythe Attorney General can grant immunities.

"Given the Attorney General's support for Nuttall in 2005 and obvious conflict of interest, does he believe he is the right person to be making that decision in this case?," Mr Messenger asked.

The Attorney-General refused to express an opinion in answering this question, and suggested that he does not believe indemnity would be appropriate to  apply to Nuttall.

"The Attorney-General's failure to clearly answer my question properly and then make the suggestion that indemnity is not appropriate to apply to Nuttall in this case, leads me to believe that the investigation is doomed to fail," he said.  

Mr Messenger said the issue was even more important and requires clarification, given the latest Galaxy poll which found that 72% of Queenslanders were not confident that the Bligh Government has stamped out corruption in state government.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:ROB MESSENGER 0407 904 134

QWN – Attorney General – Grant of Immunities

I refer the Attorney General to the Attorney General Act 1999 – Section 7 – Specific powers – 1 © which indicates that only he may grant immunities from prosecution.

Will the Attorney General agree that the latest CMC investigation into political corruption motivated by allegations from Gordon Nuttall is doomed to fail and could be considered a stunt, if it isn’t assisted, as was the Fitzgerald inquiry, by the offer of immunities from prosecution to a star witness? 

And given his public support for Nuttall in 2005 and obvious conflict of interest, does the Attorney General believe he is the right person to be making that decision in this case