Secret CJC inquiry clears Goss advisers

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- A nine-month investigation by the Criminal Justice Commission, conducted in secret, has refused to support any allegations against current and former staff of Premier Wayne Goss that they attempted to interfere in a police inquiry into an incident involving the rare and endangered foxtail palms of Cape York Peninsula.

The premier's senior media adviser, Dennis Atkins, and former private secretary, David Barbagallo, were accused of trying to cover up an inquiry into the actions of Paul Barbagallo, David's brother, whose vehicle was confiscated by National Park ranger Pat Shears last November.

In its report, released on September 8, the CJC cleared Atkins and David Barbagallo and criticised Shears instead. Shears' contract was not renewed by the Environment Department. Shears has denied all criticisms made against him.

The CJC itself has come under strong attack for not extending the terms of the closed inquiry into the failure of the police and Environment Department to stop smuggling of foxtail palms and other rare flora and fauna.

Whistle-blowers Action Group spokesperson Gordon Harris said on September 10 that the report into the Cape Melville affair showed whistle-blowers ran the risk of being attacked by the CJC.

“The report refers to whistle-blowers who came forward in good faith as `rumour mongers' and asks whether action should be taken against them”, Harris said.

The report proved that the CJC was just a buffer to protect the government, he added.

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