Qld: Inquiry into Nationals frontbencher
BRISBANE, April 9 AAP - A parliamentary committee will inquire into whether an oppositionfrontbencher lied to parliament regarding the role of the brother of Queensland PremierPeter Beattie in securing government support for the Berri fruit juice company.
State parliament today approved the inquiry by the ethics and parliamentary privilegecommittee into National Party Member for Callide Jeff Seeney's comments.
Mr Seeney first floated the issue in parliament on March 8, asking State DevelopmentMinister Tom Barton whether he was aware of industry concerns about a Beattie family linkto the Berri plant.
Mr Seeney subsequently acknowledged that Arthur Beattie did not work for Berri, butcalled on the state auditor-general to examine the use of taxpayer funds leading to thesale of National Foods' juice division to Berri in 1999.
A Crime and Misconduct Commission inquiry found there was no evidence of official misconductin the industry assistance, which secured a $25 million juice plant for Queensland.
Mr Seeney today rose on a matter of privilege at the start of today's parliamentarysitting and called on Mr Beattie to take back claims that the Callide MP had lied aboutthe matters.
"I did not lie to this parliament and I can demonstrate that," Mr Seeney said.
When Mr Seeney resumed his seat, Mr Beattie immediately rose and moved that the inquiry be held.
AAP pjo/ph
KEYWORD: BERRI
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