Omodei labels Carpenter a fraud
1:36 PM February 28
The Western Australian Opposition Leader Paul Omodei has labelled the Premier Alan Carpenter a fraud after yesterday's revelation that the Government sought to restrict the Corruption and Crime Commission's (CCC) access to certain evidence.
The Commissioner Kevin Hammond revealed yesterday that he had received a submission from the Government almost two weeks ago that sought to restrict the CCC's access to certain information.
The Government's submission argued that the CCC was not entitled to receive anything touching on Cabinet confidentially and that it should not be used as part of its hearings and investigations.
Commissioner Hammond ruled against the Government's submission.
Mr Omodei has accused the Premier of being involved in a cover-up.
"Alan Carpenter has deceived the public of Western Australia, he's been now shown to be a fraud," he said.
He says the only reason the Government did not challenge the Commissioner's ruling in the Supreme Court was to keep its submission a secret. Business reassured
Alan Carpenter says the business community can be assured any minister found to have had an inappropriate relationship with lobbyists Brian Burke and Julian Grill will be thrown out of Cabinet.
Mr Carpenter told Caucus yesterday the Government was in peril after damaging evidence at the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) about the lobbyists' influence over former resources minister John Bowler.
He has told ABC Radio businesses can be assured Mr Bowler's behaviour was unacceptable.
"I will not tolerate improper behaviour, I will not tolerate corruption of the processes and I will not tolerate people using their personal influences over government ministers or public servants for their own personal financial gain," he said.
Mr Bowler is facing the prospect of being expelled from the WA Parliament.
Mr Omodei says he has not ruled out referring Mr Bowler's behaviour to the parliamentary privileges committee.
The privileges committee has the power to recommend sanctions against any MP, including possible expulsion from the Parliament. Source: ABC
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