A Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) investigation has begun surrounding a decision by the Beattie Government to finance a $20 million rail and road deviation to Macarthur Coal's Coppabella mine.
The Macarthur Coal board said yesterday it was not aware of any inappropriate benefit or favour received from the Government in any of its operations but would offer full cooperation to the CMC.
“Ken Talbot, CEO, has voluntarily taken leave of absence from involvement with Macarthur Group Companies, effective immediately, in order for him to devote himself to resolving issues related to his private companies,” the board said.
Queensland Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney said Gordon Nuttall’s position as a key member of Peter Beattie’s cabinet meant the premier should bear some responsibility for his minister’s conduct.
“It is totally inappropriate for cabinet ministers to secretly loan money this way,” Seeney said.
Seeney also called on the premier to guarantee that there were no other arrangements in existence between individuals and current or previous members of his government that involved loans, gifts or donations.
“The premier has to come clean on whether this scandal moves beyond Gordon Nuttall to other members of his government,” he said.
Premier Beattie is currently away on an overseas trip, unable to address the scandal.
“The whiff of corruption hanging over his government needs to be cleared – the only way for this to occur is for Mr Beattie to return home today,” Seeney said.
Nuttall told ABC Radio National Friday that he had done nothing wrong and was frustrated about how he was being portrayed in the media.
“The frustration for me is that I can't talk about the evidence that I've given. But suffice to say, I am very confident. I am very, very confident that there will be no findings of wrongdoing by me, or Mr Talbot, or anyone else,” he said.
According to the ABC Radio National report, Talbot, who is not speaking publicly, has confirmed his friendship with Nuttall, and that he made the loan.
Macarthur Coal chairman Keith De Lacy said today that the CMC investigation would not disrupt Macarthur Coal’s operations.
“As far as we are concerned it is business as usual and management will remain focused on unlocking value for shareholders,” he said.
The company said Talbot would return from his leave of absence when it was considered appropriate, and until that time deputy CEO Nicole Hollows would be acting CEO of the company.
“The company will make no further public comment during the investigation and naturally will offer full cooperation to the CMC,” De Lacy said.
The CMC told International Longwall News it could not comment on the investigation.
