REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Tuesday, December 8, 1987

FORMER Local Government, Main Roads and Racing Minister Russ Hinze and former Transport Minister Don Lane stood aside from Cabinet until at least after the Fitzgerald Inquiry wrapped up.

They were not included in the 18-man Cabinet Mike Ahern announced. Mr Ahern said they would be invited back into the Cabinet if, and when, they were cleared of hearsay allegations before the inquiry.

Two “caretaker” ministers were included in the list but had agreed to stand down if Mr Hinze and Mr Lane returned.

Mr Ahern made his decision after Mr Tony Fitzgerald could not guarantee the names of the two men would not come up again in the inquiry.

Acting on Mr Fitzgerald’s advice, Mr Ahern also announced legal expenses for the two men would be suspended until innocence was established.

Mr Ahern made his statement at a press conference after weekend talks with Mr Fitzgerald and senior counsel appearing for the State Government, Ian Callannan.

“I have given public undertakings about openness, honesty, accountability and putting the interest of the people first,” Mr Ahern said.

“Therefore I have concluded the public interest must in this instance clearly override the presumption of innocence principle.

“I have therefore advised both Mr Hinze and Mr Lane that I am unable to consider them for appointment to my new Cabinet at this time,” he said.

Neither would ultimately be returned to Cabinet, with Mr Hinze leaving Parliament in 1988 and Mr Lane in 1989.