Calls To Investigate Latest Claims

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday July 26, 2008

By MARIO CHRISTODOULOU

JUST when it was thought Wollongong's corruption scandal was nearing its finale, new allegations against MP Noreen Hay have led to demands for a fresh investigation.

Yesterday the Mercury revealed claims that former councillor Frank Gigliotti had been invited to a meeting with Ms Hay and developer Frank Vellar in February 2007 where he was asked to overturn a council decision.

Mr Gigliotti said he felt Ms Hay was acting on Mr Vellar's behalf and that he felt pressured to lodge a rescission motion because of "Noreen's influence in the ALP".

The allegations were made in a statutory declaration by Mr Gigliotti in which he said he felt pressured to lodge a rescission motion, but refused.

The news led residents' group Wollongong Against Corruption, to call for a new inquiry into the matter yesterday.

"They are very serious allegations ... that is why we need a royal commission," the group's secretary Graham Lascombe said.

"A royal commission is better resourced and is completely impartial from the government of the day."

Speaking on behalf of the Reclaim our City group, South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris said the allegations needed to be looked into.

"The Mercury article raises some very serious questions about the relations between certain MPs and developers and these need to be independently investigated," he said. "Confidence needs to be restored in public office in our city."

Greens MLC Sylvia Hale said Ms Hay should stand aside while the allegations are investigated.

"It certainly warrants a public investigation and until such time as that happens ... the people of Wollongong and the state have every reason to view what has occurred with suspicion," she said.

Dr Simon Longstaff of the St James Ethics Centre said the allegations warranted further investigation.

"It is in Noreen Hay's interests, in Mr Vellar's interests and the public's interest that some of the untested implications in the statutory declaration be examined," he said.

Ms Hay reiterated her position that she co-operated with ICAC and had nothing to answer for.

Mr Vellar has said he does not recall the meeting in question.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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