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

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.. Fri Aug 2008 01:08 (4 months, 3 weeks ago)