Some MPs are remaining quiet on whether they are co-operating with ICAC inquiry into country travel allowances
Tensions are boiling over in Liberal Party ranks as Premier Steven Marshall comes under increasing pressure to force his MPs to co-operate with a corruption inquiry.
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Premier Steven Marshall is coming under increasing pressure to force his MPs to co-operate with a corruption inquiry.
Four Liberal MPs, and an independent, have refused to answer questions on whether they are trying to stall the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption’s investigation into MPs travel allowances.
Liberals Fraser Ellis and Adrian Pederick, and independent MP Troy Bell, did not respond to requests asking if they had sought to stall ICAC.
Neither did former minister Stephan Knoll, or President of the Upper House Terry Stephens, who both resigned after the investigation was launched.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas says Mr Marshall must guarantee he will not support any bid by his MPs to use parliamentary privilege to stymie the inquiry.
Meanwhile, prominent Barossa businessman John Geber says things “got a bit heavy” after he was refused entry to the Liberal’s Barossa branch AGM on Tuesday evening.
Chateau Tanunda owner, and outspoken critic of Barossa-based MP Stephan Knoll, John Geber last month placed a portable sign on his land in Tanunda that read “MP Stephan “Knoddy” Knoll must go!”.
He said at the time he was frustrated by Mr Knoll’s handling of a proposed, not-for-profit tourism heritage train for the region.
Mr Geber on Wednesday said he wanted to attend the AGM because “Knoddy was giving a speech and I wanted to hear what he said”.
He said he was told by a Liberal staffer earlier in the day he could attend as an observer.
However, he said when he arrived he was swiftly told to “p*** off”.
“I thought freedom of expression was a fundamental part of our constitution, and I feel very strongly about that … so I just felt this was an almost targeted physical intimidation type of thing,” he said.
“What we’re seeing is an accumulated effect of bullying.”
Mr Geber said he had written a letter of complaint to the Liberal Party about the matter.
Mr Knoll has been contacted for comment.
Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas is continuing to put pressure on the Liberals over ICAC’s travel allowance inquiry.
Mr Malinauskas says “Liberal MPs are not above the law” and should co-operate with inquiry.
“It is hard to believe there are Liberal MPs who are refusing to say whether they are withholding information and documents from an ICAC criminal corruption inquiry,” he said.
“(Premier) Steven Marshall must step in and direct his MPs to provide all information and documents to ICAC.
“He must also rule out supporting any bid by Liberals to use parliamentary privilege to block ICAC’s access to key information and documents.”
Comment has been sought from Mr Marshall.
It comes after Mr Marshall on Tuesday refused to demand his MPs fully co-operate with the corruption inquiry as a number of key Liberals remain silent on whether they sought to stall the investigation.
Outgoing Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander has confirmed that travel allowance claims being investigated by his office were being treated as possible corruption, rather than just maladministration, making it a criminal matter.
Mr Lander’s seven-year tenure as the ICAC finished on Tuesday. Former Supreme Court Justice Ann Vanstone has now taken over the role.
With state parliament returning in just seven days there is an expectation that some MPs will ask their colleagues to support their bid to withhold documents from the inquiry under the banner of privilege.
Despite growing pressure Mr Marshall did not comment on the issue again on Tuesday instead relying on previous statements.
A State Government spokeswoman said the Premier expects all Members of Parliament to follow the rules outlined in the ICAC Act.
“The question of privilege is a decision for the parliament and will be dealt with when parliament resumes.”
Ministers Dan van Holst Pellekaan and David Basham said they had complied with all requests
Former Minister Tim Whetstone and four other MPs who claimed the country members’ allowance have all insisted they are not seeking to claim privilege.
Mr Whetstone and Liberal colleagues Nick McBride, Peter Treloar and John Dawkins, as well as independent MP Geoff Brock, all said they were not seeking to stop the ICAC’s work as it investigated use of taxpayer-funded allowances.
Labor MPs Eddie Hughes and Claire Scriven also both said they would co-operate.
Mr Whetstone resigned from Cabinet, along with former ministerial colleague Stephan Knoll, after paying back almost $7000 and admitting errors.
He said on Tuesday: “I have not sought to use parliamentary privilege, nor have I withheld any information requested by ICAC. I have co-operated at every ask”.
Mr McBride said he had offered “full co-operation”, and has previously revealed that he stopped taking the allowance after rule changes caused confusion.