Push for investigation to whether Minister misled Parliament

LABOR is pushing for a Privileges Committee investigation into whether Liberal Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan misled State Parliament over a review of the Australian Craniofacial Unit.

Dr David David.

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LABOR is pushing for a Privileges Committee inquiry into whether a Liberal Minister misled State Parliament as the drama over changes to the Australian Craniofacial Unit widen.

Speaker Vincent Tarzia has ruled Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan has a prima facie case to answer over Opposition allegations he misled Parliament.

Unit founder Professor David David, pictured, who recently retired, has raised concerns over its direction including failure to re-employ a key surgeon and a reduction in foreign children with deformities being treated.

During Question Time on Tuesday, when Mr van Holst Pellekaan was taking questions from Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton because Health Minister Stephen Wade is in the Upper Chamber, he said there had been an independent review.

“Dr David David, an esteemed Australian and South Australian, is well aware of it. He has had every opportunity to contribute to that review,” he told Parliament.

However, Prof David has revealed he was not aware of the review and had not been invited to contribute to it.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan later corrected the record but Labor is demanding a Privileges Committee investigation. A vote on it will be held today.

“This is one of the highest crimes that be committed in the Parliament, that is why Labor will be moving to establish a Privileges Committee to properly investigate this matter,,” Mr Picton said.

“If the government has nothing to hide they should be supportive of this motion. The ultimate consequence, if you are found to have misled Parliament, you have to resign.”