Rann keen to start McGee royal commission. 06/05/2005. ABC News Online
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says he wants the McGee royal commission to begin next week, now that there will be no appeal against the Adelaide lawyer’s sentence for causing the death of cyclist Ian Humphrey. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Stephen Pallaras, released a brief statement saying he will not appeal against Eugene McGee’s sentence of a fine and loss of licence for killing Mr Humphrey. Mr McGee last week avoided a jail term for the hit-and-run death and was instead fined $3,100 for failing to stop and driving without due care.

Mr Rann says the DPP’s decision was expected and it is now time to focus on the royal commission. ‘Advertisements will be placed in the newspapers this weekend calling for submissions to the royal commission,’ he said. ‘I want to see this royal commission up and running and doing its job next week.’ Mr Rann says he is also prepared to help cover any legal costs if Mr Humphrey’s partner, Di Gilchrist, is called before the commission.
Assistance might also be available through the victims of crime fund, although the Premier says not all witnesses will be eligible for help to cover legal costs.

‘I don’t want to see tens of thousands of dollars being wasted and a long drag-out battle involving highly paid well-heeled QCs [Queen’s Counsels] making a fortune out of this and in particular I don’t want to see taxpayers funding Eugene McGee’s lawyers,’ he said.
Mr Pallaras will address the South Australian Press Club today.