Qld MP comes under ethics probe again

AN investigation into a Queensland MP's alleged failure to register his interests has been given the green light to continue.

Former Liberal National Party MP turned independent Scott Driscoll has been fighting allegations he secretly controlled a community group from his Redcliffe electorate office.

He has also denied paying his wife tens of thousands of dollars in consultancy fees.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk wrote to the Speaker in March alleging Mr Driscoll was in contempt of parliament for failing to officially register those interests.

The allegations were referred to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee, but its investigation was suspended in April after the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) and police revealed they were also investigating.

Acting CMC chairman Warren Strange had feared that media reporting on the Ethics Committee investigation could prejudice a criminal trial.

The Ethics Committee then sought legal advice from Peter Davis QC whose findings were on Wednesday tabled in parliament.

"This does not raise a concern. It is now quite common for legislation to overcome common law privilege (for example the privilege against self-incrimination) and require a person to speak, but then impose a qualified privilege prohibiting the use of that information in later proceedings," Mr Davis wrote.

"If Mr Driscoll chooses to make submissions or address either the Ethics Committee or the house, what he says cannot be used by the CMC or the police in any proceedings."

Ethics Committee chair, LNP member Peter Dowling, said the investigation would continue.

Mr Driscoll last spoke in parliament in March and has missed 13 sitting days, citing ill health.

He is expected to attend the next sitting week of parliament in August.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Qld MP comes under ethics probe again

Dengan url

http://writerlovery.blogspot.com/2013/07/qld-mp-comes-under-ethics-probe-again.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Qld MP comes under ethics probe again

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Qld MP comes under ethics probe again

sebagai sumbernya