Warrigal
SF VIP
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
In NSW we have a standing corruption commission (ICAC) which has the power to call witnesses at the very highest level. Lying to ICAC is punishable with gaol sentences.
Another reason not to lie is that when you are being questioned you do not know what evidence from other witnesses has already been gathered.
Yesterday ICAC, while investigating corruption in a privately owned company that was connected with certain members of state parliament and the current federal Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, questioned the NSW Premier about a bottle of 1959 Grange Hermitage, value just under $3,000. The Premier denied that he had received such a lavish gift from one of the men under investigation who was lobbying members of the government for a lucrative deal which would have secretively enriched the families of certain parliamentarians. He said he had not entered the gift on his register of gifts because it never happened.
Today he has resigned as premier after his thank you note for the bottle was produced in his own handwriting. He still says that he has no recollection of the wine or the thank you note but he has fallen on his sword and handed over the leadership of his party, and hence the premiership. Talk about rooster today, feather duster tomorrow.
All this happening just as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and baby Prince George are about to touch down in Sydney for a 10 day visit.
How embarrassment!!
We shouldn't really be surprised. NSW has been plagued by corruption since the earliest days of settlement.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose; ain't that the truth?
Another reason not to lie is that when you are being questioned you do not know what evidence from other witnesses has already been gathered.
Yesterday ICAC, while investigating corruption in a privately owned company that was connected with certain members of state parliament and the current federal Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, questioned the NSW Premier about a bottle of 1959 Grange Hermitage, value just under $3,000. The Premier denied that he had received such a lavish gift from one of the men under investigation who was lobbying members of the government for a lucrative deal which would have secretively enriched the families of certain parliamentarians. He said he had not entered the gift on his register of gifts because it never happened.
Today he has resigned as premier after his thank you note for the bottle was produced in his own handwriting. He still says that he has no recollection of the wine or the thank you note but he has fallen on his sword and handed over the leadership of his party, and hence the premiership. Talk about rooster today, feather duster tomorrow.
All this happening just as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and baby Prince George are about to touch down in Sydney for a 10 day visit.
How embarrassment!!
We shouldn't really be surprised. NSW has been plagued by corruption since the earliest days of settlement.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose; ain't that the truth?
I suspect their visit will deflect people's minds from politics for a while!
