Premier Keneally stands by Penrith MP

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Just a week ago the ICAC Commissioner handed down a report into another matter
where anonymous allegations were aired by the media about supposed corrupt
behaviour by NSW MPs and public servants.

The Commissioner's finding that there was not a "skerrick of evidence" to back up these
claims is a sobering reminder of the need to exercise appropriate judgment and a
presumption of innocence when such claims are made.

As the Minister for Planning, I did not contemplate standing aside any public servant in
the Department during the ICAC investigation into lands at Badgerys Creek.

Neither did the Premier nor the Opposition seek for me or any other MP to stand aside
during that time.

The Commissioner also noted that the publicity caused by the reporting of those
allegations caused personal distress for at least one of the public servants involved, Mr
Haddad, even though there was no credible basis whatsoever to those claims.

The blunt reality is this - MPs and senior public servants are vulnerable to the
extraordinary publicity that follows a referral to ICAC.

To be sure, MPs and public servants are not above the law, and should always be held
to account on the highest standards. That is why my Government fully supports the
independence of the ICAC, and the opportunity for any person to make a referral to
ICAC.

However, MPs and public servants are entitled to due process, and should not be made
victims of vexatious complaints.

Today it is a Labor MP. Tomorrow it could be a Liberal or National MP - and I would

support the same presumption of innocence in similar circumstances for Opposition
Members as I do today for Karyn Paluzzano.

Karyn Paluzzano retains my full support. I spoke to her last night. She is strenuously
rejecting these claims and has been speaking publicly to the media in doing so.

I understand that the person who made these claims to ICAC is the subject of an
independent investigation by the NSW Parliament.

Karyn has not been contacted by the ICAC but she is willing to fully cooperate in any
inquiry, if asked.