Doorstop

SUBJECTS: Response to Fair Work Australia clarification regarding the timing of the investigation

E&OE……………… 

Christopher Pyne:

Fair Work Australia has today announced that the inquiry into Craig Thomson may not be finished by March the fifth as was widely predicted, and in fact they may not release the Craig Thomson report to the general public.  Bill Shorten as recently as last week has indicated that the public could expect the Craig Thomson inquiry by Fair Work Australia to be wrapped up by March the 5th.  What today’s announcement indicates is that this Fair Work Australia inquiry is taking far too long to reach its conclusion.  It’s starting to look very much like an institutional go slow at best and like a deliberate cover up at worst by Fair Work Australia to protect the Gillard Government. 

The Gillard Government relies on the tainted vote of Craig Thomson to remain in office.  Julia Gillard must give a guarantee that she will insist Fair Work Australia release that report to the public and that the report wrap up as soon as possible.  It’s now taking upwards of three and a half years for the Fair Work Australia inquiry to be completed into Craig Thomson and in anybody’s language that is far too long.  When you think of commissions like the Cole Royal Commission or the Wood Royal Commission, which were wrapped up in far less time into much more significant issues.  Julia Gillard needs to indicate whether she still has full confidence in Craig Thomson given the Parliament is returning next week. 

ENDS