The Desert Rat could not believe his ears when listening to ABC Regional Radio news this afternoon while exploring the Goldfield's terrain in 42 degree heat.
No, it was not a case of “a touch of the sun”.
The ABC news item was about the latest Corruption and Crime Commission fiasco which has been forensically dissected and discredited in a report by Parliamentary Inspector Malcolm McCusker QC which has been tabled in State Parliament.
McGinty’s “spin”, to avoid answering the facts in McCusker’s report
Attorney General Jim McGinty was interviewed. He ignored the unpalatable facts exposed by McCusker and brazenly told listeners that:
“the CCC was doing a good job”.
The comment and the style is typical McGinty "spin" – he ignored the appalling incompetence exposed first by senior public servant Petrice Judge in her independent report and eloquently reinforced in the latest of three reports from WA's leading barrister and Parliamentary Inspector Malcolm McCusker QC. McGinty;s haunting indifference to the embarrassing facts laid out in these reports reveals a lot about McGinty's real character, his motives and the way he operates politically.
Defamatory comment
The Desert Rat has learned to not expect much better from Jim McGinty. To cap off this crass substitute for a reasoned response to McCusker's scathing expose, McGinty then said of the CCC:
"It's stopping corruption, particularly by lobbyists, in its tracks”.
This latter comment is clearly aimed at Julian Grill and Brian Burke and by implication is highly defamatory of and prejudicial to both men.
How can anyone get a fair hearing or a fair trial in Western Australia when its Attorney General carries on with behaviour like that?
The statement clearly says that the CCC is stopping corruption by lobbyists in WA and the inference is that Burke and Grill are “corrupt” and have been stopped in their tracks because of “corrupt” behaviour.
Julian Grill and Brian Burke are the only two lobbyists in Western Australia that have been investigated by the CCC. Neither has been found to have acted corruptly, or has been charged with a criminal offence or have any findings of misconduct against them, despite a multi-million dollar investigation and public interrogations by the CCC. The Smith's Beach Report, the CCC major investigation is unravelling daily.
The problem that confront anyone defamed by (this apology for) an Attorney General, is that, if those aggrieved sue McGinty for defamation it will cost them about $200 000 for the privelege. Jim McGinty’s costs will be met by the State Government, as well as any damages claim against him. McGinty knows that.
The plaintiffs may not be awarded enough to cover their legal costs. If defamation is established, mud sticks and negative impressions remain.
The Desert Rat reckons that's a win-win for Jim McGinty who is protected from any personal costs. he knows it and is using it to bait and smear Julian Grill and Brian Burke!
The Office of Attorney General
Holding the office of Attorney General is a special position in politics. It is a special position in Cabinet as well, as it provides legal advice to Cabinet. The position of Attorney General has always been seen as one of discharging the duties of the Office fairly and without favour. The Attorney General should always be above politics in that role. The Attorney General’s job is to protect the legal system and people. Attorneys' General who understand the responsibilities of the role such as Joe Berinson and Darryl Williams Qc often appeared a bit aloof in their detachment from petty politics - but McGinty can't help himself!
The Attorneys General make recommendations to Cabinets on the appointment of judges, magistrates, QC’s or Special Councils as they are now titled - another role which should be above politics.
Jim McGinty’s behaviour today reflects how he has politicised the role of Attorney General.
His grubby defamatory comments today are, in the opinion of the Desert Rat, a negation of his role of Attorney General.
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