08.02.2007

THE Traveston Crossing dam site was chosen in a “morally corrupt” move to victimise non-Labor voters and protect more suitable sites in Labor electorates, ex-Labor insider Cate Molloy said yesterday.

In her first detailed breach of Labor Caucus secrecy, the now independent Ms Molloy said both Premier Peter Beattie and Police Minister Judy Spence had argued against four better sites which would potentially impact on Labor or pro-Labor electorates.

Ms Molloy’s explosive claims came amid news that a Senate Inquiry into the dam is now all but certain, following a move by Queensland National Senator Ron Boswell and quick promises of support from the Greens and Democrats.

Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group spokesperson Kevin Ingersole said group members were “absolutely delighted that Ron Boswell is moving that motion in the Senate on February 26 on behalf of himself, Barnaby Joyce and the Liberals Russel Trood”.

The inquiry may now hear evidence from Ms Molloy of the claimed cynical inner workings of the Beattie-led Labor Government.

Ms Molloy confirmed yesterday that more suitable sites passed over by her then Caucus colleagues included Conondale, in the Glass House electorate of Labor’s Carolyn Male, and the Obi Valley, in the Nicklin electorate of independent Peter Wellington, who has in the past tended to support Labor governments.

“Those sites and others had environmental issues, but these were never raised in the Caucus. They were trotted out for the public benefit later, but they were never part of the decision making process.

“It was pork barrelling in reverse,” Ms Molloy said from her car and “mobile office” at Imbil yesterday.

Ms Molloy was in the Mary Valley campaigning for the Federal seat of Wide Bay, now held by Trade Minister Warren Truss.

“Beattie’s decision to put the dam at Traveston was purely political. It was only because the area was strongly National Party that he decided he would put the dam there.

“I was actually in the Caucus meeting when he said in as many words that it didn’t really bother him about placing it in the Mary Valley as mostly only National Party voters lived there.

“I remember vividly that Judy Spence strongly supported his decision, whereas I opposed it.

“Judy actually sprang to her feet and said the dam should be placed there as the people in the Valley were all Nationals, never voted Labor and never would anyway, so why should anybody care,” Ms Molloy said.