WED 10 sEp 2014
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PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Trades & Services Need help at your place this weekend? p.24-28
MP accused of lying Surprise witness contradicts Garry Edwards’ evidence at the ICAC
Mia Dyson Fresh from the States and playing Lizotte’s
School zone flashing lights on go-slow p.5
Bill Turner tournament Hunter Sports High pipped in the final p.31
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ember for Swansea, Garry Edwards has been accused of lying to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), following a muchanticipated appearance as part of the Commission’s inquiry into illegal political donations. Following last month’s evidence by former Newcastle Lord Mayor and property developer, Jeff McCloy that he had given Mr Edwards $1,500 cash for his 2011 election campaign, the Swansea MP told the Commission last Wednesday that he had indeed taken an envelope from Mr McCloy but had no idea what was in it as he had never opened it. “At no time did I open the envelope given to me by Mr McCloy,” he told counsel assisting the ICAC, Geoffrey Watson SC. “He indicated to me that it was to go towards some raffles, so it could have been the purchase of a book of raffle tickets, it could have been a gift voucher to Bunnings for a prize.” Mr Edwards said he had given the envelope to a campaign colleague, Max Newton, at the first available opportunity. When asked if Mr Newton was available to give evidence, Mr Edwards said that Mr Newton had passed away early this year and the he had never revealed what was in the envelope. Mr Watson then called a surprise witness to give evidence - John MacGowan, a senior advisor to
Liberal frontbencher, Duncan Gay. He told the inquiry that Mr Edwards and his electorate officer, Nicholas Jones, had met with him on the night of August 12, two days before Mr McCloy gave evidence, and Mr Edwards told him he had received cash from Mr McCloy. “He indicated to me that he did not know the sum of money in the envelope, but it was clear to me he knew there was cash inside the envelope,” he said. “He told me about the envelope and then said that… he’d handed it to his SEC treasurer or president, I can’t recall his position, Mr Max Newton. “Then they informed me that Mr Newton was deceased, at which point his staff member suggested then there was no reason to tell [ICAC].” Mr MacGowan said he had advised Mr Edwards to report the matter to the ICAC before Mr McCloy gave evidence. Returning to the witness box after Mr MacGowan’s evidence, Mr Edwards stood by his story amid suggestions from Mr Watson that he had come to the Commission “with the intention of telling a little bit of the truth mixed with a bunch of lies to fool ICAC”, a claim Mr Edwards staunchly denied. Mr Edwards maintained he had never told Mr
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MacGowan that there was cash in the envelope. When asked why he didn’t report the matter to the ICAC following Mr McCloy’s evidence, Mr Edwards said, “it just didn’t occur to me”.
Swansea MP, Garry Edwards
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