Mp Must Be Stood Aside During Inquiry
Illawarra Mercury
Friday July 25, 2008
FRANK Gigliotti's explosive statutory declaration, claiming he was pressured at a meeting convened by Wollongong MP Noreen Hay and attended by developer Frank Vellar raises serious questions that must go before an official inquiry.
At the heart of the former councillor's sworn statement is the implication Ms Hay put herself into play on a council decision affecting a controversial development.Ms Hay might defend herself by saying she merely facilitated a meeting. Previously she has stated she talks to all sorts of people across the community about all sorts of things. Indeed, her interpretation of the meeting may be quite different to Mr Gigliotti's. Yesterday she stated the matter had been dealt with by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Ms Hay was not named as an "affected person" at the ICAC public hearings earlier this year.However, given the serious nature of Mr Gigliotti's claims, Premier Morris Iemma should announce an inquiry to establish the facts about the meeting. And he should stand Ms Hay aside from her position as parliamentary secretary for health until the matter is resolved - one way or the other.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
