Keneally's power backflip

Andrew Clennell State Political Editor January 06, 2011
SHE closed Parliament early in an attempt to disband it, but Premier Kristina Keneally will be a surprise guest at the power inquiry she has branded "unconstitutional".
In a bizarre announcement yesterday, Ms Keneally said both she and Treasurer Eric Roozendaal would appear before the inquiry.
It means the Government is giving legitimacy to a parliamentary inquiry it has previously said could endanger the $5.3 billion sale of the state's electricity assets.
But Ms Keneally yesterday continued to refuse to reverse her decision to prorogue Parliament, meaning the inquiry may not have the protection of parliamentary privilege.
She said in a statement that public servants - who may reveal damaging secrets about the sale - will not have to give evidence because they can rely on Crown Solicitor's advice that they might not be protected by privilege.
However, the Premier said she and Mr Roozendaal would "represent the government" at the inquiry. "I have taken this decision based on my commitment to transparency and openness," she said.
"While the Crown Solicitor's legal advice is abundantly clear that the committee is unconstitutional and is unable to compel witnesses, I have decided that the Treasurer and I will attend voluntarily, along with members of the electricity bid project team, to answer any questions."
Last night, a spokesman for the Premier claimed it was too difficult to reverse Ms Keneally's decision on December 22 to prorogue Parliament, which the Premier insists had nothing to do with trying to shut down the power inquiry.
"We cannot unprorogue Parliament. You can't," the spokesman said. "This is the best possible way of doing it. This is 100 per cent openness and transparency."
But Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said yesterday's announcement was a "desperate act to get this issue off the front pages". "This is the ultimate act of hypocrisy," he said.
"Ms Keneally must immediately unprorogue Parliament to ensure witnesses have full protection."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/keneally-power-backflip/story-e6freuy9-1225982691766