Chief Minister Andrew Barr has questions to answer following confirmation from the Integrity Commissioner on Wednesday that court action has been launched by an unnamed public servant seeking to shut down another integrity commission investigation, says Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee. 

She says the chief minister needs to confirm:

• When he became aware of these proceedings? 
• What role the ACT government is playing, if any, in these proceedings?
• If ACT taxpayers are footing the bill for the legal fees for these proceedings?”

Despite the ACT Integrity Commission having completed the interim report into Operation Luna, regarding the CIT contracts worth more than $8 million, the legal action is precluding commissioner Michael Adams from giving the report to the speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Ms Lee says this is the second time in a month it has been revealed court action has been commenced seeking to shut down an Integrity Commission investigation.

“It was revealed just last month the head of the Education Directorate [Katy Haire] is seeking to have the investigation into the Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project contract shut down through Supreme Court Action,” Ms Lee said.

“ACT taxpayers are footing the legal fees for this action[?]… the Chief Minister and Attorney-General [Shane Rattenbury] kept vital information from the deputy chief minister because of her active role in the investigation.”

CIT shock: another attempt to muzzle integrity body