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Show email or quit, Turnbull told

22 Jun, 2009 08:14 AM
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has given Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull until today to produce the email at the centre of the ''utegate'' scandal or resign.

And Mr Turnbull, while stepping back from allegations about Mr Rudd's involvement in the affair, has taken aim at Treasurer Wayne Swan, demanding he resign for misleading Parliament.

Mr Rudd's comments come in the wake of explosive allegations that Queensland car dealer John Grant, a friend of Mr Rudd's, was helped to obtain finance through the OzCar scheme at a meeting between Ford Credit and Treasury officials.

The Senate is expected to debate the Car Dealership Financing Guarantee Appropriation Bill tomorrow which, if passed, will establish the $2billion OzCar fund.

Mr Rudd said the clock was ticking for Mr Turnbull to produce the email which would prove inappropriate behaviour by his office.

''The case against the Government myself and the Treasurer is based on an accusation that I directed that representations be made on behalf of Mr Grant,'' he said.

Mr Rudd said neither he nor his staff had sought to intervene in Mr Grant's case.

Motor Traders Association of Australia executive director Michael Delaney said yesterday Mr Grant had not been given special treatment in his application for car finance funding through the OzCar scheme.

''The treatment Mr Grant ... got was no different from the treatment all my other members got,'' he said.

Full coverage and analysis in today's Canberra Times

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At the end of the day.... If there is no authentic email found, or substance to allegations by Mr Turnbull, will the Police Charge Mr Turnbull ? I am sure if I was in Mr Turnbulls place the Police would charge me with being a puiblic nuisance, and wasting police resources. Paul
Posted by Paul, 22/06/2009 8:42:07 AM
The Governments tactics of redirection off the real issue of “introduction advantage” vs “real financial advantage” for Mr grant is classic battle redirection delay. I would love the Government to look into all my needs the way they did Mr Grant’s. I hope we will always have strong Opposition parties ( Both Labour and Liberal) in this Country that challenge ethics and possible impropriety. With all this Stimulus money flowing, ethics will certainly be a casualty.
Posted by Texan, 22/06/2009 9:06:12 AM
Please can we be spared this ridiculous term invented by the media: "Utegate". 'Watergate' after which this slovenly new media hype-term has been borrowed, was a far more serious form of government corruption that included "campaign fraud, political espionage and sabotage, illegal break-ins, improper tax audits, illegal wiretapping on a massive scale, and a secret slush fund laundered in Mexico to pay those who conducted these operations". Already a trial by media by calling it Utegate, nothing has been proven so far in this desperate show of dirt tactics used by Malcolm Turnbull.
Posted by Rob, 22/06/2009 9:36:19 AM
It was a mistake to put this dumb carbon-spewing program in Treasury, which ought to have been appalled at the breach of "free market" principles. Had it been located in a "constituency" department such as Industry, I doubt the officials would have choked on defending it.
Posted by kyoto kapers, 22/06/2009 10:06:14 AM
Talk about a storm in a tea cup! Mr Grant did not receive any money! Other MPs (Liberal & Labor) also put forward names of dealers in their constituencies for consideration for finance. I don't see any impropriety here. What I do see is a desperate Opposition tilting at windmills. Stop this ridiculous posturing and do your jobs.
Posted by fair go, 22/06/2009 10:38:23 AM
Mr Rudd's interview on the radio this morning was unconvincing. Lots of nervous coughs and not one question answered - he just repeated the same pre-prepared mantra for every question.
Posted by long memory, 22/06/2009 10:49:23 AM
Please concentrate on governing the country - not kindergarden points-scoring!!!
Posted by TonyR, 22/06/2009 11:45:03 AM
Is this the same Parliament that thought it fit to eject the toddler daughter of a Senator? What a load of juvenile point scoring. Barnaby Joyce whittered on about taking the job of an MP seriously. If only they would.
Posted by MMcI, 22/06/2009 1:22:48 PM
I thought Rudd couldn't keep still in the TV interview also- eyes flying everwhere for answers. He seems a bit nervous- I wouldn't take on - a Barrister Mr Turnbull. If I were PM Rudd I would have just owned up to the preference treatment as he would be congratulated for being just a 'nice guy'. But to call in the Federal Police into his own private office! he seems a tad worried, from 'squeaky to squeezy and short of air'. I expect the truth even if it was biased- truth remain the issue.
Posted by adaptapensioner.com, 22/06/2009 1:56:15 PM

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Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull
Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull

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