Shadow Attorney General Greg Smith SC today moved a motion in Parliament today calling on the Iemma Government to refer ‘Iguana-gate’ to the ICAC, where witnesses can be compelled to give evidence. 

Unfortunately, Morris Iemma and Labor used their number to vote down the motion.

“Morris Iemma has to stop hiding behind the police investigation and finally support the NSW Liberal/Nationals’ calls to institute an ICAC inquiry in to ‘Iguanga-gate’ in order to get to the bottom of this scandal,” Mr Smith said.

“ICAC has unlimited investigative powers and can compel witnesses to make a statement, which is something that the Police don’t have the powers to do, and Morris Iemma knows it,” he said.

“It has been widely reported that some witnesses are refusing to co-operate with the Police investigation on legal advice. Police cannot compel answers from persons they are interviewing; indeed they can’t even force a person to make a statement. That is their legal right."

“The ICAC can compel a person to appear and answer their questions; it has the power to make a witness produce a statement answering specific questions; can summons a person to give evidence; and can force production of documents at a hearing."

“Even if a person is unwilling to answer questions, the ICAC can force answers. Refusal to answer to the ICAC is a criminal offence."

“The people of NSW have waited long enough for the truth about ‘Iguana-gate’ and, in the absence of a judicial inquiry, only the ICAC has the power to get to the bottom of this sordid mess."

“It’s time that the ICAC investigated whether a Member of Parliament threatened a business’ operations, or whether any pressure was brought to bear on witnesses making statutory declarations.

“Morris Iemma needs to stop dithering, show some leadership and support the Coalition’s call to institute an inquiry at the ICAC level. We need to get to the bottom of Iguana-gate."

“It’s about time we knew the truth,” Mr Smith said.