East West Link “Letter of Guarantee” demands investigation

YCAT Editorial

Here is a copy of the East West Link “side letter” to the consortium, signed by the Napthine Government that blackmails Victorian taxpayers.

The timing of this document being signed before November 2014 State Election surely demands further investigation via either a Royal Commission, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), if it had beefed up powers or a federal Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Surely former Treasurer Michael O’Brien would be aware of the principles of accountability and good governance put forward by The Honourable Tony Fitzgerald AC QC:

  • Govern for the peace, welfare and good government of the State;
  • Make all decisions and take all actions, including public appointments, in the public interest without regard to personal, party political or other immaterial considerations;’
  • Treat all people equally without permitting any person or corporation special access or influence; and
  • Promptly and accurately inform the public of its reasons for all significant or potentially controversial decisions and actions.

The former treasurer treated people with contempt when putting the political interests of the former State LNP government ahead of the public interest.

It appears that the former treasurer was prepared to give away $1.2 billion of Victorian’s funds to a foreign consortium just to hide the incompetence of a project that was always of the rails.

At the time of signing, he knew that the Andrews Government had committed to walk away from the project, and he knew the polls predicted an ALP win. So the deal was done purely to stop the consortium walking away before the election instead of after.

A cowardly deal.

East West Link Letter of Guarantee and Allan Myers QC Legal Advice by Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT)