❓ Attorney General McGinty defends his handling of information regarding Minister for Health Kucera's involvement in the Perth Mint swindle case, accusing Ms Walker of playing petty politics and emphasizing the gravity of the matter.
AnsweredQoN 1058Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Why did the Attorney General fail to inform the public of the Minister for Health’s involvement until forced to do so today? I particularly refer him to the radio interview in which he participated this morning during which he was asked whether other officers were involved. Mr McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
I urge members to appreciate the gravity of this matter. We are talking about something that goes to the heart of public confidence in the Western Australia Police Service and the administration of justice in this State. This matter has gone on three occasions to the Court of Criminal Appeal and on either two or three occasions to the High Court of Australia. It is one of the most high profile cases conducted in Western Australia. The consequence of the member’s playing petty politics with a matter of this nature can only be the destruction of her interests. We must look at - Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY replied: I urge members to appreciate the gravity of this matter. We are talking about something that goes to the heart of public confidence in the Western Australia Police Service and the administration of justice in this State. This matter has gone on three occasions to the Court of Criminal Appeal and on either two or three occasions to the High Court of Australia. It is one of the most high profile cases conducted in Western Australia. The consequence of the member’s playing petty politics with a matter of this nature can only be the destruction of her interests. We must look at - Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
I urge members to appreciate the gravity of this matter. We are talking about something that goes to the heart of public confidence in the Western Australia Police Service and the administration of justice in this State. This matter has gone on three occasions to the Court of Criminal Appeal and on either two or three occasions to the High Court of Australia. It is one of the most high profile cases conducted in Western Australia. The consequence of the member’s playing petty politics with a matter of this nature can only be the destruction of her interests. We must look at - Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY replied: I urge members to appreciate the gravity of this matter. We are talking about something that goes to the heart of public confidence in the Western Australia Police Service and the administration of justice in this State. This matter has gone on three occasions to the Court of Criminal Appeal and on either two or three occasions to the High Court of Australia. It is one of the most high profile cases conducted in Western Australia. The consequence of the member’s playing petty politics with a matter of this nature can only be the destruction of her interests. We must look at - Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
I urge members to appreciate the gravity of this matter. We are talking about something that goes to the heart of public confidence in the Western Australia Police Service and the administration of justice in this State. This matter has gone on three occasions to the Court of Criminal Appeal and on either two or three occasions to the High Court of Australia. It is one of the most high profile cases conducted in Western Australia. The consequence of the member’s playing petty politics with a matter of this nature can only be the destruction of her interests. We must look at - Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Several members interjected. Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY: Mr Kucera was not involved in any way in the investigation of any aspect of the Perth Mint swindle. Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Ms Sue Walker: He was involved in the interview. He went into the room three times. Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY: I suggest that, given the gravity of this matter to the administration of justice in this State, the member resist the temptation to try to score cheap political points. That is what she is doing. In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
In 1998, Mr Kucera gave evidence before the Court of Criminal Appeal. That was the first time he was called to give evidence. He did so in an open court and the evidence was reported in the media and in the court’s judgment. He provided his recollection of events with which he was peripherally connected but not involved in July 1982 at the Belmont Police Station. Those matters are on the public record. When I was presented with an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski, I saw it as a matter of enormous public interest and concern. That is why I took the step of making it public - I called a press conference as soon as I reasonably could. Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Ms Sue Walker: You did not mention the minister. Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
Mr McGINTY: This is too serious for the member to be playing petty, cheap politics. She should listen, because this is a very important matter. Given the gravity of the issue, she is doing herself no credit. It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
It is a matter of public record. I received an affidavit from Anthony Lewandowski that in no way - directly or indirectly - referred to or cast any doubt upon the evidence given to the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr Kucera in 1998. The press conference was called to deal with the startling admission by the detective who conducted the investigation that he had fabricated the evidence with Don Hancock, that he had perjured himself with Don Hancock and that he and Don Hancock had committed serious assaults on Peter Mickelberg. He also said that he felt that he was now free to come forward because Don Hancock had died and he would not be dobbing him in, to use my own turn of phrase. That was the purpose of the press conference. I could see no reason to mention Mr Kucera because he was not the subject of the sworn affidavit. The member for Nedlands should rise above the cheap shot.
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