Last-minute millions to spark racing probe

QUESTIONS: Former treasurer Andrew Fraser, and how The Courier-Mail has broken the key stories into the administration of Racing Queensland. Source: The Courier-Mail

A DECISION by Anna Bligh's government to transfer $20 million two days before the Labor administration went into caretaker mode is among events set to spark a commission of inquiry into Queensland's racing industry.

The Courier-Mail has learnt of two key incidents involving more than $100 million that have raised serious questions about the former administration of the racing industry.

The Courier-Mail last night learnt that the Newman Government was investigating former Treasurer Andrew Fraser's decision to approve the transfer of $20 million into Racing Queensland Limited's trust account for infrastructure projects.

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The Government is seeking details on whether Mr Fraser ignored advice from Treasury on the business cases for RQL infrastructure projects.

The transfer occurred in February 2012, two days before the caretaker mode applied ahead of Labor's landslide election loss.

The Newman Government is also looking into a decision by four of RQL's then five directors to allow Tatts Group to retain almost $90 million of fees that had been earmarked for the racing industry.

The latest twist comes as Campbell Newman's Government ponders its options in addressing the growing scandal surrounding the industry's previous leadership.

QUESTIONS: ALP powerbroker Bill Ludwig and how The Courier-Mail has broken the key stories into the administration of Racing Queensland.

The Courier-Mail understands the government is looking at either a full Commission of Inquiry or a Parliamentary Inquiry into the administration of the industry under the board chaired by Labor-aligned former chairman Bob Bentley and including Labor powerbroker and longtime union boss Bill Ludwig.

The Government is expected to lean towards a commission of inquiry which would have greater powers.

One of the key matters is the process used for approving the $20 million payment and whether questions had been raised by Treasury officials over whether it should go ahead.

Rules blocking access to briefing papers provided to the previous government is hampering their investigation.

Mr Fraser last night told The Courier-Mail: "The decision to provide the money to (RQL) was announced in the Budget and all decisions were made in accordance with Treasury advice."

Today, he urged the release of a briefing note which he says make legitimate the$20 million transfer two days before the government went into caretaker mode last year.

Last November, The Courier-Mail revealed that RQL had awarded $158 million worth of contracts to Contour Consulting Engineers, based on the Sunshine Coast, for upgrades to regional racetracks and facilities. Only one of more than 30 projects went to tender.

But the Newman Government, less than a month into its tenure, brought the program to a halt by imposing a freeze on Racing Queensland making payments above $20,000 without approval.

A forensic audit by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, delivered to the Government this week, has recommended the Crime and Misconduct Commission and the State Auditor-General conduct a full inquiry into the contract, which was found to be up to 40 per cent more expensive than those offered by other firms.

The Bentley-led board was overhauled and replaced as the Newman Government sought to implement a new racing structure.

Investigations by The Courier-Mail last year have also revealed that RQL board had approved golden handshakes of more than $1 million to four executives in the event that they resigned before the body was dismantled by the new government.

That decision has been the subject of an Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation.

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Police probe suspected murder-suicide

POLICE believe a man killed his mother before ending his own life in a suspected murder-suicide on the Gold Coast on Friday.

The body of 53-year-old Margaret Pakatyilla was found in the boot of a car outside her home in Ashmore about 8.30am on April 12 after a relative discovered her son Mark, 28, dead inside the Hillview Pde property.

Police this morning released a statement that said preliminary investigations suggested the death of Mrs Pakatyilla was suspicious however the death of her son was non-suspicious.

A police spokesman could not comment on how the pair died, but said detectives were preparing a report for the State Coroner.

“It’s an ongoing process. Investigations are continuing,” he said.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For help, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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Pies probe racist slurs on Yarran

Carlton star Chris Yarran in action on Sunday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has mooted league-imposed bans on fans found guilty of severe cases of racial abuse towards players.

Demetriou said he supported Collingwood in its investigation following allegations two members abused Carlton player Chris Yarran during last Sunday's blockbuster at the MCG.

"If there is anyone in the crowd that thinks it's OK in this day and age they will be dealt with if there was proof," Demetriou told 3AW this morning.

"If it was very severe then the AFL might take action... we might prevent someone from going to the football for some period of time."

It is claimed that one of the men called Yarran a "petrol sniffer" and the other said he was a "black ----" after he scored a goal.

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said last night the club had launched an investigation after receiving a formal complaint from a Magpie member that offensive language was used towards a Carlton player.

"We have been advised of the seat numbers of the two club members who allegedly racially vilified the Carlton player," Pert said.

The alleged slurs happened during Sunday's AFL match between Collingwood and Carlton. Photo: Getty Images

"Several members of the crowd have claimed the language was highly offensive and we are now making contact with other members who may have been within earshot. I would encourage anyone who was at the game and witness to the alleged behaviour to contact the club.

"Our position on vilification is absolute. If the allegations are proven, memberships of the offenders will be cancelled indefinitely."

The Magpies have zero tolerance to racism and withdrew the membership of a 20-year-old who called Nigerian-born Gold Coast player Joel Wilkinson a "monkey" during a game at the MCG last July.

Collingwood member Ray Stewart, with wife Jacqui, labelled the slurs "disgraceful". Picture: Jon Hargest

Magpie Dale Thomas pledged his support to Wilkinson as they walked off the ground and then lodged an official complaint.

Another Collingwood member, Ray Stewart, said yesterday he contacted the complaint line at the MCG on Sunday to report the racial abuse and, while MCC security staff and police spoke to a person, they did not ask him to leave the ground because it is understood they could not positively identify him.

Mr Stewart, who was with a group of friends and family, said the offending person always sat in the same reserved seat in an area set aside for Collingwood members at home games.

"I was disgusted that he wasn't escorted out," he said.

"The security and police never asked anyone their opinion. It's just so wrong."

Mr Stewart said he was about three metres away from the man at the time.

"People like this should not be allowed to go to another footy game . . . it was just so disgraceful," he said.

Mr Stewart said the man, aged about 50, was wearing football shorts, a T-shirt and thongs.

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Payroll probe told of email to IBM staff

A former IBM employee was sent an email containing details of Queensland Health's needs just as the tech giant was negotiating to secure the health payroll contract.

The Health Payroll Inquiry has resumed this morning in Brisbane with former IBM executive Jason Cameron returning to the stand to give details of his role in the finalisation of the 2007 contract won by IBM.

The health payroll system imploded soon after installation in 2010 in a financial controversy now expected to cost the Queensland tax payer $2 billion.

The inquiry has heard Mr Cameron was with IBM until 2010 but was also seconded to the State Government in-house technical outfit CorpTech in 2005 while remaining with IBM.

Mr Cameron often communicated with Damon Atzeni, a member of the government's contract evaluation team which eventually selected IBM.

He has faced suggestions from Counsel Assisting Peter Flanagan, SC, that he helped IBM secure an advantage in the contract negotiations.

Mr Flanagan this morning returned the inquiry's attention to a crucial email sent by Mr Atzeni to Mr Cameron providing details of Queensland Health's needs regarding the contract.

The email, sent in April 2007, was not sent to other companies also competing for the contract and marked "for your eyes only."

"I don't remember opening the document," Mr Cameron said.

Mr Cameron said he did not request the email.

"You knew it was confidential didn't you?" Mr Flanagan said.

Mr Cameron said, relevant to his role in Queensland Health, he believed the email contained information which could be legitimately passed on to him.

"Based on my role I believe that was a document Damon could validly have passed on to me," he said.

The inquiry continues.

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Charge laid amid stabbing probe

A MAN has been charged with affray by police investigating the stabbing death of Werribee man Shaun Wright.

Mr Wright, 21, was found in Johnson St, Fitzroy, with fatal stab wounds on Sunday morning.

The man charged, a 21-year-old from Sydenham, was one of three men arrested in a car in Joy St, Braybrook, early on Monday morning.

Two men from Braybrook, aged 21 and 30, were released without charge.

Police said four women attended the Melbourne North police station this morning and were assisting the investigation.

A Brunswick West man, 29, arrested in the hours after the attack was released without charge, police said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au.
 

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'Shake on a plane' dance leads to probe

THE latest craze to sweep the internet is bringing university students the wrong kind of attention - from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

During a flight from Colorado Springs to San Diego, a group of students started the Harlem Shake, a dance to a song of the same name.

In the suddenly popular YouTube videos, one person starts dancing, then the video cuts to a large group of people dancing, many in costume (skip to 15 seconds into the video to see this bizarre part).

Matt Zelin, a sophomore, told the Colorado College newspaper, The Catalyst, he asked a flight attendant for permission beforehand.

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said they're looking at what phase the flight was in during the dance in the aisles.

Frontier Airlines says the seatbelt sign was off and safety measures were followed. 

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