Chaos has been prevalent in Queensland since the government's integrity came under fire this summer amid a scandal involving conflicting interests in the issuance of an online gambling license to Gocorp. Reports by the Criminal Justice Commission and Auditor-General could serve as building blocks toward restoring order.
Treasurer David Hamil was under intense scrutiny in July 1999 for his role in granting the license when it was revealed that three of his Australian Labor Party colleagues were shareholders in a company holding 20 percent of Gocorp. Hamil stepped down and Premier Peter Beatti was appointed Acting Treasurer pending the completion of the Auditor-General's investigation. The Criminal Justice Commission's investigation followed shortly thereafter by request of Parliamentary Speaker Ray Hollis and Leader of the Opposition Rob Borbidge MLA.
In his report. Auditor-General Len Scanlan found virtually no wrongdoing in the granting of the license to Gocorp. "The decision to issue the licence was made in accordance with the legislative requirements," Scanlan wrote. He also said that there was no evidence of any impropriety by Hamil and that the shareholders adequately disclosed their interests in the company. IGN has obtained copies of the reports.
View the AG report executive summary
View the entire AG report
View the Criminal Commission Justice Inquiry into the Gocorp license