Leaks, documents unresolved — Dean

THE chair of State Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee says he intends to make a referral to the Privileges Committee over allegations of leaks.

Speaking in the wake of the Public Accounts Committee’s report on the energy crisis, Windermere MLC Ivan Dean said the Government’s refusal to hand over a key document and accusations about leaks from the committee were still to be dealt with.

“Both matters remain to be concluded ... a motion to refer to the leaked information to the Privileges Committee will be tabled here shortly,” Mr Dean said.

Mr Dean also told Parlia- ment yesterday the committee had made a decision on the Government’s refusal to hand over an unredacted copy of a letter relating to the Tamar Valley power station.

“As chair of the committee I think I can say (in relation) to the redacted document the committee has made a decision on where it should go and that will be known in the near future as well,” Mr Dean said.

The Public Accounts Committee resorted to a summons in its efforts to get Treasurer Peter Gutwein to hand over a letter he wrote to Energy Minister Matthew Groom about Treasury advice on the potential sale of the power station.

Mr Gutwein refused, citing Cabinet in confidence and concerns information had pre- viously been leaked from the committee.

At the time, he described the alleged leaks as an “extremely concerning and serious matter” which confirmed “our concerns about providing sensitive commercial and other information to the committee”.

By refusing, Mr Gutwein risked potential contempt of Parliament deliberations.