Bracks refuses to front gaming inquiry

ABC Radio
PM - Monday, 17 September , 2007 18:42:00
Reporter: Samantha Donovan

MARK COLVIN: A parliamentary inquiry into the awarding of gaming licences in Victoria has been told that the former premier, Steve Bracks, did not break tender rules and intervene in the process.

Former Victorian minister turned lobbyist, David White, rejected the evidence of former Tattersalls trustee, Peter Kerr, that Mr Bracks had discussed the licences with him and his colleagues.

But the State Opposition says it's got the documents to prove impropriety. Steve Bracks is refusing to appear before the inquiry to answer questions.

Samantha Donovan reports.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Former Victorian premier, Steve Bracks, had a relatively scandal-free eight years in office. But one allegation continues to hang over him, that he intervened in the process for awarding a state gaming licence. An Upper House select committee inquiry into the probity of gaming licensing in Victoria is now underway.

And today the Hearing Room was packed with parliamentarians, staffers and journalists eager to hear what former Labor Minister and Tattersall's lobbyist, David White, had to say about Mr Bracks' conduct.

Earlier this month, former Tattersalls trustee, Peter Kerr, told the inquiry that Mr White helped to arrange a meeting between Steve Bracks and Tattersalls in 2003, and that Mr Bracks discussed licences at the meeting, which he has always denied.

Mr Kerr also gave evidence that Mr White boasted to the trustees that he discussed the licences at a dinner with Mr Bracks in 2003, and that Mr Bracks made it clear to Mr White that the company should list publicly if it wanted to win future gaming licences.

It's claimed Mr White then passed that view onto Tattersall's trustees. Mr Bracks has denied this in Parliament. Today, David White told the inquiry that there was no discussion of Tattersalls at his dinner with Mr Bracks in the coastal resort of Lorne in 2003. He says their conversation was limited to property prices, their families and architecture.

DAVID WHITE: The function I had with the Premier was an excellent social occasion and there was no discussion about any matter related to Tattersalls or any other client. During the lottery tendering process, we had no discussion with any Cabinet minister, advisor or public servant about any matter related, to do with Tattersall's and the lottery tendering process.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Mr White also denied Mr Kerr's earlier testimony that Steve Bracks had discussed gaming licences with the Tattersall's trustees in 2003. Mr White told the inquiry the trustees had been told if they raised the issue of gaming licences with the Premier, they'd never seen him again.

During the hearing this morning, Mr White consistently referred to Mr Bracks as a Labor Party colleague. But when questioned by the committee members and reporters afterwards, Mr White was unable or unwilling to divulge when he'd last spoken to Mr Bracks.

REPORTER: Mr White, when was the last time you spoke to Steve Bracks?

DAVID WHITE: He is a wonderful Labor colleague.

REPORTER: But Mr White, when is the last time you contacted Steve Bracks?

DAVID WHITE: He is an excellent Labor colleague.

REPORTER: So, you won't tell us when the last time you had contact with Steve Bracks?

DAVID WHITE: He is an excellent Labor colleague.

REPORTER: Why is that Mr White, why can't…

DAVID WHITE: It's ok. He is an excellent Labor colleague.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Opposition gaming spokesman, Michael O'Brien, was critical of Mr White's testimony.

MICHAEL O'BRIEN: We saw today, from Mr White, was a litany of denials in the face of documentary evidence, and a series of character assassinations against witnesses who dared to tell the truth that wasn't convenient to Mr White and this government's view of the world.

We have got minutes that have been confirmed by the trustees that David White was telling them they needed to float. David White was telling them the way to do business in Victoria is to tell the Premier what you want on a piece of paper.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Labor committee deputy chair member, Matt Viney, says the inquiry is a witch-hunt.

MATT VINEY: We've now heard from 17 witnesses before this select committee, and not one of them has presented any evidence that anything improper has occurred.
MARK COLVIN: The Victorian Labor MP, Matt Viney, ending Samantha Donovan's report.