Page 1836 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 1 May 1991
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White Collar Crime
MR STEVENSON: My question is directed to the Attorney-General. Will the Attorney-General call for an investigation into the involvement of the prominent Sydney law firm Simons and Baffsky in regard to the 27 pages of evidence I tabled in the house yesterday? In particular, firstly, was Simons and Baffsky aware that its client Alexander Gajic had confessed before the Woodward royal commission into drug trafficking? Secondly, was Simons and Baffsky aware that the Californian company VCX Incorporated, which it dealt with on behalf of Gajic, was run by well-known Mafia figures in the United States? Thirdly, was Simons and Baffsky aware that the actions it took on behalf of its client to obtain video masters from the company Armstrong Audio Visual assisted its clients Alexander Gajic and Sienna Pty Ltd to asset-strip Joyfrey Nominees Pty Ltd in order to avoid tax obligations and creditors? Fourthly, was Simons and Baffsky aware that Harold Schekeloff, with whom it had dealings on behalf of Gajic and who paid Simons and Baffsky's account for Gajic, had attracted the attention of various crime intelligence bureaus in Australia?
MR COLLAERY: I thank Mr Stevenson for the questions. Mr Speaker, I will take all of the question on notice; but, in fairness to that law firm, I think it should be observed that you should not judge a lawyer by the client he or she acts for or defends. That mistake is often made by the community. I would have no objection to defending anyone opposite, but I would not want to be associated with them in doing it. Certainly I will take the matter on notice and I will inform Mr Stevenson directly on the matter and I will inform the house as well.
MR SPEAKER: Members, before we go past the point, I draw members' attention to standing order 117. Paragraph (d) of that standing order provides that questions that are critical of the character or conduct of other persons must be put on notice. I would ask you all to abide by that rule in our standing orders. Also, questions should be concise and relate to one matter only.
Public Servants
MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I direct a question to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, will you give a guarantee to ACT public servants that they will continue to have unrestricted rights of promotion and transfer to Commonwealth departments?
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