Mr BURKE - 2005-03-22
In the last sittings, in Question Time, you admitted to this Assembly that, in relation to charges of child sex crimes brought against a prominent Territorian, you had phoned the Police Commissioner on the strength of rumour from an unidentified rumourmonger, contrary to normal protocols. You refused to answer questions about why the DPP supported a suppression order suppressing this person’s name. You refused to answer questions about why the order was put in place; why the government was supporting this prominent Territorian; and to say whether you would do the same for other Territorians. You protected the rumourmonger who told you this information. You telephoned the Police Commissioner at night. You also claimed that you had no other discussion at all with the police about this matter. Can you confirm that this is correct?
Madam SPEAKER: I warn members that this case is still subject to sub judice conventions and that matters of this type must not be discussed in any way. Leader of the Opposition, please keep the questions shorter in future.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is the man who thinks that the Territory is, frankly, mediocre. This question is seriously mediocre – full of misinformation and incorrect assertions. We dealt with this issue substantially in the last sittings of parliament. The Police Commissioner has made it very clear that there was no inappropriate conversation. I made it very clear in the last session of parliament and that is the end of the matter.
Madam SPEAKER: I warn members that this case is still subject to sub judice conventions and that matters of this type must not be discussed in any way. Leader of the Opposition, please keep the questions shorter in future.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is the man who thinks that the Territory is, frankly, mediocre. This question is seriously mediocre – full of misinformation and incorrect assertions. We dealt with this issue substantially in the last sittings of parliament. The Police Commissioner has made it very clear that there was no inappropriate conversation. I made it very clear in the last session of parliament and that is the end of the matter.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016