Bates Must Answer The Questions That Still Linger Six Weeks Later

Media Release.

 

Missing-in-action Science, IT, Innovation and Arts Minister Ros Bates finally returns from extended leave this week and must answer important questions she left unanswered before taking sick and holiday leave more than six weeks ago.

Acting Opposition Leader Tim Mulherin said Ms Bates – who has been absent from her portfolio since November 18 and from her Ministerial office for more than 25 per cent of the time since being sworn in – still had a host of issues that needed to be addressed over her lobbyist register, meetings with LNP powerbrokers and responses provided to the Parliamentary Estimates Committee.

“The Arts Minister understandably required some time off after suffering what was described as a very serious injury but now that she’s due back on deck, these questions and issues need to be immediately addressed,” Mr Mulherin said.

“These are serious issues and although the Arts Minister has been absent on sick leave followed by holiday leave, now is not the time to avoid these lingering issues.

“The Premier and his Ministers have given a solid undertaking to be honest and transparent and accountable and Ms Bates needs to honour that commitment.

“I trust we will see her do just that this week.”

Mr Mulherin said the Arts Minister needed to provide:

• A full explanation as to why the lobbyist register she initially tabled in Parliament failed to include three meetings with a lobbyist
• Details of the full extent of her and her office’s contact with LNP powerbroker and lobbyist Santo Santoro since she was sworn in as a Minister
• Full details of her dealings with Technology One, a company which donated significant funds to her 2009 election campaign
• Reasons why her office failed to fully comply with a Right To Information request from the Opposition about CITEC issues, only releasing all documents after 162 days and a complaint and investigation by the Information Commissioner
• Details of any meetings or conversations she has had with the Premier to explain the full extent of her relationship - as the former owner of lobbying firm Entrée Vous – with Michael Caltabiano, who has been stood aside as Transport Director General on full pay which, at $10,000 a week, now amounts to up to $100,000

Mr Mulherin said as the Premier was due to return from leave he also had serious questions to address including explaining why he has failed to fulfil the commitment he made on 13 November 2012 to release the diaries and lobbyist registers of all his ministers.

“The Premier gave a commitment on that date that these documents would be made available and published but as yet we have seen nothing.

“It’s not enough to commit to release them some time in the New Year – Queenslanders require more than vague guarantees.

“The Premier also needs to explain why sloppy administration resulted in the sacking of two staff from former Minister Flegg’s office, yet similar action has not been taken against staff in the offices of the Arts Minister and Education Minister.”