Qld: Beattie denies special treatment for Kaiser

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2000
Qld: Beattie denies special treatment for Kaiser

BRISBANE, Dec 22 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today denied he was treating
Woodridge MP Mike Kaiser any differently to other Labor Party members embroiled in the
vote-rigging scandal.

The denial followed a claim by ALP member Sharif Deen that Mr Beattie was protecting Mr Kaiser.

Mr Deen was one of the men who told ABC television's 7.30 report of an envelope of
cash being paid to the Democrats by federal Labor MP Wayne Swan.

Mr Deen said today he was one of 19 Labor Party members who had received show cause
notices asking for a reason why they should not be expelled from the party.

Like Mr Kaiser, Mr Deen said he had made no admission of wrongdoing at the Shepherdson Inquiry.

"From what I know, people like Mr Kaiser haven't been given letters or presented with
letters inviting them to show cause," Mr Deen told ABC radio.

But Mr Beattie said Mr Kaiser's fate could not be determined until after the Shepherdson
Inquiry had completed its public hearings.

The Criminal Justice Commission announced last week it would reconvene public hearings
on January 10 to investigate a 1986 Labor pre-selection in the state seat of South Brisbane.

In previous evidence given to the inquiry, Mr Kaiser was accused of knowing about vote-rigging
during that pre-selection plebiscite.

He has repeatedly denied any involvement of improper electoral practices.

"Mike Kaiser is appearing before the Shepherdson Inquiry," Mr Beattie said today.

"He will have to respond to those matters, the serious allegations that have been raised.

"If the answers are not adequate I will take action against him."

AAP bja/jhm/mg/bwl

KEYWORD: STACKING (CARRIED EARLIER)

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