Fed: Lib whistleblower says Qld branch not to blame for GST scam

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2001
Fed: Lib whistleblower says Qld branch not to blame for GST scam

Longtime Liberal Party member DAVID WATTS says executives of the Queensland Liberal
Party never discussed or approved the GST refunds scheme.

Mr WATTS told ABC Radio the state executive has never issued a directive about the
matter because it's never met to discuss it.

Mr WATTS' comments are at odds with the explanation given by Small Business Minister
IAN MACFARLANE, who told parliament his Groom Federal Electorate Council acted on advice
of the party's state division when it claimed refunds on GST it never paid.

Mr WATTS says somebody knows who was responsible for devising and promoting the scheme,
but could not identify them for fears of being sued.

He says he believes the people involved acted outside the knowledge of the state executive
and state president and certainly outside the party membership in Queensland.

AAP RTV jph/daw/jas/hn

KEYWORD: TAX WATTS (CANBERRA)

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