A Labor-dominated parliamentary committee has ended an investigation into a government backbencher who was thrown out of caucus earlier this year over allegations he had misled parliament.
The ruling ends a months-long investigation into member for Blain Mark Turner, who the government helped refer to parliament's Privileges Committee for investigation over his statement to the chamber about an extra-marital affair.
The Country Liberal Party said Mr Turner's speech included misleading comments around the relationship and his attitude to illegal drug use.
The CLP also said the Chief Minister had contradicted Mr Turner's claim to parliament that he had Michael Gunner's support in making his statement.
The committee initially delayed the release of its report by six months, citing an investigation launched by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC).
But the committee's report released today contains a letter received by the new ICAC commissioner in September, stating that he had discontinued his probe after a review of the commission's activities.
The report of the committee, which is chaired by government minister Natasha Fyles, says the group considered whether to continue its work after receiving the commissioner's letter.
"Having considered the allegations made and the elements of the offence, the committee determined that the allegations were not capable of amounting to an offence against the assembly," the report says.
"Even if one took a different view of whether there was a prima facie case, the possibility of proving all three elements was too remote to warrant further investigation."
In a dissenting report, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the committee did not have "adequate and necessary evidence" to drop its investigation.
She said the committee did not consider evidence beyond Mr Turner's statement to parliament and that opposition attempts to have other government comments submitted as evidence were blocked.
"Given the volume of media coverage and commentary over a number of days centred on the member for Blain, we believe it is prudent that the committee consider conflicting information," Ms Finocchiaro wrote.
"The inquiry into the statement made by the member for Blain made on 17 February 2021 was flawed and not undertaken in any manner that could be described as a legitimate enquiry whatsoever."
In a statement, an ICAC spokesperson said the commissioner had conducted a review of all active investigations and had decided not to investigate this matter.
"Statements made by members of the Legislative Assembly are protected by absolute privilege, and are matters to be dealt with solely by parliament," the spokesperson said.
"The commissioner does not intend to provide running commentaries, or make public statements, about the status of every investigation he commences or closes."
