Published Friday, 29 February, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
MCARDLE YET TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
The Liberal Leader and Deputy Leader of the Queensland Coalition, Mark McArdle, is still failing to answer questions relating to his involvement in a scam which lost investors millions of dollars, the Leader of Government Business in State Parliament, Robert Schwarten, said today.
“Yesterday in State Parliament, I challenged Mr McArdle to answer some simple questions about Boyce Garrick Managed Investments Pty Ltd,” Mr Schwarten said.
“It should have been pretty easy for him to do so … according to the scheme’s prospectus he was the Director of Compliance.
“I asked him what happened to the reportedly $30 million lost by investors in the scheme which he helped establish.
“For example, what happened to Mrs Joyce Baker’s $60,000? Did any of the money, which seemed to disappear into thin air, go to the company Mr McArdle lists in his pecuniary interest register?
“Mr McArdle makes much of the fact that seven years after the event some investors got their money back via insurance payouts, but that still doesn’t explain where the $30 million went.
“And why on Wednesday did Mr McArdle suddenly resign his directorship in a company with the disgraced Terry Boyce, his former law and investment firm partner, after claiming he could not do so for legal reasons?
“The government gave Mr McArdle 10 minutes in Parliament yesterday to answer these question and he again refused to do so.
“It is time for him to level with Queenslanders.”
Mr Schwarten also renewed his challenge to Coalition Leader Lawrence Springborg to show leadership and eyeball his deputy and get the answers on behalf of the mum and dad investors and pensioners who lost their money.
“Lawrence Springborg has made a huge song and dance about leadership in recent weeks and about his conversation with Queenslanders … now its time for him to put his money where is mouth is,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Did he eyeball his deputy to get answers before he threw his support behind Mr McArdle? Clearly with Mr McArdle enjoying Mr Springborg’s personal support, we have double the number of questions to be answered.
“He took the time to meet with Mrs Baker yesterday and I commend him for that but that’s not the end of it. He owes Mrs Baker an explanation as to why after hearing her side of the story, he immediately leapt in to support his deputy.
“Contrary to some assertions, Mr McArdle’s pitiful performance in Parliament yesterday did not answer any of the questions that I have put to him. This whole thing stinks to high heaven and goes right to the door of the Leader of the Opposition.
“I will not go away on this issue until the Queenslanders who were ripped off get some answers to their questions.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
“Yesterday in State Parliament, I challenged Mr McArdle to answer some simple questions about Boyce Garrick Managed Investments Pty Ltd,” Mr Schwarten said.
“It should have been pretty easy for him to do so … according to the scheme’s prospectus he was the Director of Compliance.
“I asked him what happened to the reportedly $30 million lost by investors in the scheme which he helped establish.
“For example, what happened to Mrs Joyce Baker’s $60,000? Did any of the money, which seemed to disappear into thin air, go to the company Mr McArdle lists in his pecuniary interest register?
“Mr McArdle makes much of the fact that seven years after the event some investors got their money back via insurance payouts, but that still doesn’t explain where the $30 million went.
“And why on Wednesday did Mr McArdle suddenly resign his directorship in a company with the disgraced Terry Boyce, his former law and investment firm partner, after claiming he could not do so for legal reasons?
“The government gave Mr McArdle 10 minutes in Parliament yesterday to answer these question and he again refused to do so.
“It is time for him to level with Queenslanders.”
Mr Schwarten also renewed his challenge to Coalition Leader Lawrence Springborg to show leadership and eyeball his deputy and get the answers on behalf of the mum and dad investors and pensioners who lost their money.
“Lawrence Springborg has made a huge song and dance about leadership in recent weeks and about his conversation with Queenslanders … now its time for him to put his money where is mouth is,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Did he eyeball his deputy to get answers before he threw his support behind Mr McArdle? Clearly with Mr McArdle enjoying Mr Springborg’s personal support, we have double the number of questions to be answered.
“He took the time to meet with Mrs Baker yesterday and I commend him for that but that’s not the end of it. He owes Mrs Baker an explanation as to why after hearing her side of the story, he immediately leapt in to support his deputy.
“Contrary to some assertions, Mr McArdle’s pitiful performance in Parliament yesterday did not answer any of the questions that I have put to him. This whole thing stinks to high heaven and goes right to the door of the Leader of the Opposition.
“I will not go away on this issue until the Queenslanders who were ripped off get some answers to their questions.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832