Article: Debate erupts about who told CMC over gravy train

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Debate erupts about who told CMC over gravy train

Patrick Lion

April 30, 2008 12:00am

A MELEE has erupted over whether the Bligh Government or the Opposition referred the ALP `gravy train' scandal to the state's corruption watchdog.
In a situation bordering on farce, Transport Minister John Mickel yesterday insisted he was forced to refer the case to the Crime and Misconduct Commission after the Opposition spent the long weekend "in a hammock doing nothing".

Liberal transport spokesman Tim Nicholls indicated on Friday that he would refer the matter to the CMC, but did not post a letter to it until Monday because of the Anzac Day public holiday.

The war of words comes after The Courier-Mail revealed that a group of unelected Labor Party members enjoyed a private, peak-hour catered tour of the CityTrain network last week to view infrastructure projects.

The ALP has been forced to foot the $3000 bill, which was initially to have been paid  by taxpayers.

Details about the organisation of the trip were still unclear. Mr Mickel's policy adviser has claimed he planned the tour on normal services.

Mr Mickel, who came under fire in Question Time yesterday, refused to release internal reports on the case and Premier Bligh insisted that she had to ask the CMC if the documents could be released.

Mr Mickel attempted to take the high moral ground by lauding his openness and accountability in referring the matter.

"I bit the bullet. These jokers (the Opposition) bit their nails. (They) spent the long weekend in a hammock doing nothing," he said.

A CMC spokeswoman confirmed a faxed referral from Ms Bligh was received late on Monday night but correspondence from the Opposition had yet to surface.

Mr Nicholls said the move from the Government was a "diversionary stunt" when it should instead commit to releasing the reports.

"There is no legal impediment why they can't release their own reports," he said.

[ozbob]

The ongoing congestion and go card issues are far more important to me.

Cheers
Ozbob