Leaked letter shows Keneally's bluff on power inquiry

The NSW Premier sought `urgent' advice on the legality of an inquiry into the government's $5.3 billion power sale the day she declared it illegal.

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NSW Premier Kristina Keneally sought `urgent' advice on the legality of an inquiry into the government's $5.3 billion power sale the same day she declared it illegal.

Ms Keneally told reporters the day after parliament was prorogued two months early that advice from the Crown Solicitor showed an inquiry would have no legal standing.

A letter released to Fairfax newspapers on Friday showed the general counsel for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Paul Miller, wrote to the Crown Solicitor on the same day.

The letter sought "urgent" advice on how the shutdown of parliament would affect a committee's capacity to hold an inquiry and call witnesses and whether their evidence would be covered by parliamentary privilege.

Ms Keneally referred to the letter at a news conference on Wednesday, but did not reveal when it had been sent.


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Source: AAP


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