Liberals welcome Royal Commission debate Tuesday, 12 July 2005

The Liberal Opposition welcomes the publication by the Full Court of the Supreme Court of the reasons why Mr Craig McGee could not be required to answer questions at the Kapunda Road Royal Commission. Shadow Attorney-General Robert Lawson said the decision highlighted the fact that the Royal Commissions Act needed an urgent overhaul. “We should have a modern Act which covers the powers conferred not only on Royal Commissions but on other commissions of inquiry,” he said.

“Last week’s ‘dummy spit’ by the Rann Government over the inquiry foundered because of the desire of the government to ensure that their proposed inquiry would be conducted in secret. “Questions about the circumstances in which a person can refuse to provide information and whether documents are privileged from production must be addressed. “These issues have been resolved in legislation dealing with corporations, taxation, the securities industry, the National Crime Commission, etc.

“The same issues should be addressed by Parliament in a principled manner. At the moment, they are being addressed ad hoc, with the government using its numbers to get the result it wants. “The Liberal Opposition looks forward to the Parliamentary debate on this issue. “Royal Commissions and other inquiries should have the powers necessary to obtain the full picture. Unless the law is reviewed, they will have their hands tied behind their backs.”