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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/29/tony-fitzgerald-tears-into-queensland-government-for-abuse-of-power
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Tony Fitzgerald tears into Queensland government for abuse of power | Tony Fitzgerald tears into Queensland government for abuse of power |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Queensland's ruling Liberal National Party is abusing its power through its huge, unchecked majority, the state's best known corruption fighter says. | Queensland's ruling Liberal National Party is abusing its power through its huge, unchecked majority, the state's best known corruption fighter says. |
Tony Fitzgerald, who headed the Fitzgerald inquiry into police corruption in the 1980s, has launched a scathing attack on the LNP government after several controversies. | Tony Fitzgerald, who headed the Fitzgerald inquiry into police corruption in the 1980s, has launched a scathing attack on the LNP government after several controversies. |
Fitzgerald said he was reluctant to comment on the ongoing “Queensland saga” but released a short statement saying he did not expect voters to tolerate “destructive populism of an irresponsible government for long” and wanted to regain his anonymity and privacy in retirement. | Fitzgerald said he was reluctant to comment on the ongoing “Queensland saga” but released a short statement saying he did not expect voters to tolerate “destructive populism of an irresponsible government for long” and wanted to regain his anonymity and privacy in retirement. |
“The LNP's first term in office has confirmed the critical importance of adequate checks and balances,” he said in the statement. | “The LNP's first term in office has confirmed the critical importance of adequate checks and balances,” he said in the statement. |
“The government has already flaunted its disdain for democracy and good governance by attacks on the judiciary and judicial independence, emasculation of the state's anti-corruption commission and interference with the electoral system.” | “The government has already flaunted its disdain for democracy and good governance by attacks on the judiciary and judicial independence, emasculation of the state's anti-corruption commission and interference with the electoral system.” |
He also accused the government of pursuing self-interest, favouring its supporters and passing “irrational, counterproductive and sometimes invalid” criminal laws. | He also accused the government of pursuing self-interest, favouring its supporters and passing “irrational, counterproductive and sometimes invalid” criminal laws. |
Fitzgerald has already criticised the state's controversial anti-bikie legislation. | Fitzgerald has already criticised the state's controversial anti-bikie legislation. |
He said Queensland was extremely vulnerable to the misuse and abuse of power, given a lack of constitutional limits on the state's single house of parliament. | He said Queensland was extremely vulnerable to the misuse and abuse of power, given a lack of constitutional limits on the state's single house of parliament. |
Without an effective parliamentary opposition, the checks and balances needed for democracy were missing. | Without an effective parliamentary opposition, the checks and balances needed for democracy were missing. |
“Queensland's future is a matter for its voters,” he said. “At the next state election they will simply need to decide which party will do the least long-term damage.” | “Queensland's future is a matter for its voters,” he said. “At the next state election they will simply need to decide which party will do the least long-term damage.” |
Fitzgerald also blamed News Corp publications such as the Courier-Mail for helping the LNP outside parliament. | Fitzgerald also blamed News Corp publications such as the Courier-Mail for helping the LNP outside parliament. |
“News Corporation publications, which dominate the local print media, consistently publish biased reports which favour the government,” he said. | “News Corporation publications, which dominate the local print media, consistently publish biased reports which favour the government,” he said. |
A response has been sought from Campbell Newman's office. |