QLD: A G report into Net Bet unlikely before next week

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-1999
QLD: A G report into Net Bet unlikely before next week

BRISBANE, Aug 13 AAP - The Auditor-General's report into the Net Bet scandal was unlikely
to be completed before state parliament resumed next week, Auditor-General Len Scanlan said
today.

Mr Scanlan said the report would take at least another week because of the large amount of
material to analyse.

"Given the fairly short time frame involved, I'd say our chances (of having the report
completed by next Tuesday) are looking more slim than optimistic at this stage," Mr Scanlan
told ABC radio.

Meanwhile, the Queensland parliament may move to sack Deputy Speaker Bill D'Arcy while
investigations into the Net Bet scandal proceeded.

Premier Peter Beattie said today he understood it was sufficient for Mr D'Arcy to stand
aside from the senior parliamentary job while the Auditor-General and the Criminal Justice
Commission investigated the affair.

The Net Bet affair relates to the awarding of the state's first Internet gaming licence to
Gocorp, a company linked to the millionaire MP and two other Labor Party figures.

However, Speaker Ray Hollis has cast doubt on whether parliamentary standing orders allow
for a temporary replacement.

Mr Hollis has written to Mr D'Arcy asking him to resign but he had refused.

Mr Beattie said today the government would sack Mr D'Arcy if that was what was required.

Opposition leader Rob Borbidge said today he was concerned the government would use a sub
judice ruling to prevent questions on Net Bet being asked in state parliament.

"I think it would be a crazy situation if something that everyone's talking about, and the
media can report on, can't be raised or discussed in the parliament," Mr Borbidge said.

But Mr Beattie said he would be happy to answer any questions from the opposition over the
issue.

"I have no problems answering any questions he wants to ask me," Mr Beattie said.

Parliament resumes next Tuesday when Mr Beattie will introduce legislation to strip Mr
D'Arcy, former MP Don Livingstone and Ipswich City Councillor Paul Pisasale of any profits
they would receive from their connections with Gocorp.

AAP sls/ah/de

KEYWORD: NET CASINO (CARRIED EARLIER)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.