Mark hits Govt on probes

OPPOSITION Senator Wade Mark has criticised the Government for delays in several of its commissions of inquiry into public controversies. “We have a clear attempt by the ruling party to cover up, frustrate and deny citizens proper justice.” He recalled that it has been almost a year since the announcement of an inquiry into the health service. “The Commission of Inquiry into ‘Landate’ — nothing’s happened. The Teacup Affair — is the Speaker sleeping?”  He said that the inquiries had suddenly gone silent.

“The Integrity Commission’s investigation of Dr Rowley — they are a secret society, like a lodge. Where is the transparency and the accountability?”. He said the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) had hired Canadian forensic accountants Intelisis to probe donations allegedly made to the former UNC government. Mark accused Intelis of a witchhunt of UNC MPs. He claimed that after being hired by NLCB, Intelis had also been hired by the Integrity Commission to investigate Landate. Mark said: “There’s a conflict of interest; it’s a cover-up.”