Independent investigation needed in Hiscutt Crown Land affair

• Courtney scandal must be trigger for overdue independent investigation
• Courtney tried to sweep Hiscutt concerns under the carpet – standing by evidence from Whittington
• Full investigation required going back to Courtney’s appointment in March

The Liberal Government must finally launch a full independent investigation into allegations the Leader of Government Business, Leonie Hiscutt, used her political influence to win a Crown Lands dispute.

“During Budget Estimates earlier this year the Minister for Primary Industries, Sarah Courtney attempted to sweep the serious concerns under the carpet,” Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad said.

“Ms Courtney stood by evidence given by the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, John Whittington, that there had been no contact between Crown Land Services and Leonie Hiscutt, even when presented with clear evidence that there had been contact.

“The scandal has deepened with revelations that Ms Courtney and Dr Whittington have been forced to stand aside due to conflict of interest concerns.

“The bombshell that the Minister and the Secretary are in a personal relationship casts a serious cloud over the answers given during Estimates in relation to the Hiscutt matter.

“Evidence exists in black and white that Leonie Hiscutt wrote to Crown Land Services to gain a favourable outcome in a dispute with a neighbour.

“But when the Integrity Commission made inquiries about this matter they were assured by the Department that Ms Hiscutt kept herself at arm’s length of the decision.

“Now there are concerns about conflicts of interest and collusion at the highest levels of the Department of Primary Industries.

“This should not be dismissed as part of a desktop review of decisions by the Secretary of DPAC.

“Nothing short of a full, independent investigation that begins at the start of Ms Courtney’s ministry in March will get to the bottom of this murky affair.”