PREMIER Morris Iemma has refused to sack Education

[Flash]

PREMIER Morris Iemma has refused to sack Education Minister John Della Bosca over claims he and his federal MP wife were abusive and threatening to restaurant staff during a night out.
Mr Iemma, who demanded a written explanation from Mr Della Bosca today, has issued a statement indicating the Minister will keep his job.

Mr Della Bosca and his wife Belinda Neal denied the serious allegations made by six staff of Iguanas Waterfront Bar at Gosford on the Central Coast.

The Minister drove Ms Neal away from Iguanas afterwards despite having told Parliament on May 13 that he would stop driving because he was about to lose his licence for repeated speeding offences.

Premier Iemma said today: “Mr Della Bosca has insisted he is not at fault in this (Iguanas) incident.

“He has also provided a written official apology from the restaurant concerned, which appears to support his account.

“There is currently no allegation of criminal behaviour – and given the club’s apology and withdrawal of claims – no allegation of improper conduct. “

Mr Iemma said Mr Della Bosca would explain the incident to Parliament at its next sitting, including the reasons behind his decision to drive away from the location.

“Notwithstanding the legal status of his licence, I have instructed him not to drive again in the period before his formal cancellation takes effect,” the Premier said.

“The Police Commissioner (Andrew Scipione) has today been contacted and supplied with all written materials.

“If further allegations are made by any involved party in relation to this matter, Commissioner Scipione will be asked for his consideration and advice.”

But Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell said only an independent inquiry could determine what occurred during, and after, the Iguana nightclub affair and satisfy the public whether or not undue influence was applied.

“It’s unacceptable for John Della Bosca to try and pronounce his own ‘not guilty’ verdict. It lacks any impartiality and fails the public interest test,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“After John Della Bosca’s false claim on May 13 that he would no longer drive, the public can’t believe him.

“Morris Iemma should appoint a former judge or a barrister to inquire into this affair, including Friday night’s incident and Mr Della Bosca’s subsequent actions.

“The public has a right to know what has gone on in this matter, what if any threats were made and what if any pressure has been applied to the club owners.

“Having sacked Carl Scully for lying to Parliament in 2006, Morris Iemma should apply the same test to John Della Bosca.”

Mr O’Farrell said that in addition to being Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and Education Minister, John Della Bosca was also the Minister for Industrial Relations.

“At the centre of this scandal is the treatment of hotel workers – their treatment on Friday night and since,” he said.

“Only an independent inquiry can get to the bottom of this sorry saga.”

[cardigan]

Jun 9, 2008 3:26:38 GMT -5 Flash said:

PREMIER Morris Iemma has refused to sack Education Minister John Della Bosca over claims he and his federal MP wife were abusive and threatening to restaurant staff during a night out.
Mr Iemma, who demanded a written explanation from Mr Della Bosca today, has issued a statement indicating the Minister will keep his job.

Mr Della Bosca and his wife Belinda Neal denied the serious allegations made by six staff of Iguanas Waterfront Bar at Gosford on the Central Coast.

The Minister drove Ms Neal away from Iguanas afterwards despite having told Parliament on May 13 that he would stop driving because he was about to lose his licence for repeated speeding offences.

Premier Iemma said today: “Mr Della Bosca has insisted he is not at fault in this (Iguanas) incident.

“He has also provided a written official apology from the restaurant concerned, which appears to support his account.

“There is currently no allegation of criminal behaviour – and given the club’s apology and withdrawal of claims – no allegation of improper conduct. “

Mr Iemma said Mr Della Bosca would explain the incident to Parliament at its next sitting, including the reasons behind his decision to drive away from the location.

“Notwithstanding the legal status of his licence, I have instructed him not to drive again in the period before his formal cancellation takes effect,” the Premier said.

“The Police Commissioner (Andrew Scipione) has today been contacted and supplied with all written materials.

“If further allegations are made by any involved party in relation to this matter, Commissioner Scipione will be asked for his consideration and advice.”

But Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell said only an independent inquiry could determine what occurred during, and after, the Iguana nightclub affair and satisfy the public whether or not undue influence was applied.

“It’s unacceptable for John Della Bosca to try and pronounce his own ‘not guilty’ verdict. It lacks any impartiality and fails the public interest test,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“After John Della Bosca’s false claim on May 13 that he would no longer drive, the public can’t believe him.

“Morris Iemma should appoint a former judge or a barrister to inquire into this affair, including Friday night’s incident and Mr Della Bosca’s subsequent actions.

“The public has a right to know what has gone on in this matter, what if any threats were made and what if any pressure has been applied to the club owners.

“Having sacked Carl Scully for lying to Parliament in 2006, Morris Iemma should apply the same test to John Della Bosca.”

Mr O’Farrell said that in addition to being Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and Education Minister, John Della Bosca was also the Minister for Industrial Relations.

“At the centre of this scandal is the treatment of hotel workers – their treatment on Friday night and since,” he said.

“Only an independent inquiry can get to the bottom of this sorry saga.”

Another ministerial scandal that Iemma has attempted to sweep aside. Does anyone really believe that the restaurant manager actually "wanted" to withdraw his allegations? When will this bunch of lunatics be held accountable for their actions? Hopefully, it will not end Iemma's BS remark that there is nothing to pursue

[cardigan]

Its easy to see why the owners of Iguana's Nite Spot rescinded their allegations and apologised to John De La Bosca and his Federal Politician wife, Belinda Neal. They have a development Application before Gosford Council to make vast improvements to their premises, and don't want to get a powerful state Politician like De La Bosca offside. The owners are relying on the State Government for a smooth passage to pass their developments.

I find it hard to believe that the staff were rude to the De La Bosca's, to the point where the staff each swore out an affidavit to the contrary, clearly describing the Political couple being like, "Bats out of Hell." John De La Bosca has certainly used his political power to win this one, while trying to defend his Missus, Belinda Neal, the Harpy from Hell. It is odd, her using the terms, "Do know who I am ?" when she is only holding her seat by a wee margin. The Premier is showing his usual gutlessnes, by staying clear of this schemozzle, pretending it didn't happen, because he knows that he needs De La Bosca's support to flog off the NSW Power supply. Power certainly corrupts in NSW.

[Flash]

Jun 9, 2008 3:32:26 GMT -5 cardigan said:

Jun 9, 2008 3:26:38 GMT -5 Flash said:

PREMIER Morris Iemma has refused to sack Education Minister John Della Bosca over claims he and his federal MP wife were abusive and threatening to restaurant staff during a night out.
Mr Iemma, who demanded a written explanation from Mr Della Bosca today, has issued a statement indicating the Minister will keep his job.

Mr Della Bosca and his wife Belinda Neal denied the serious allegations made by six staff of Iguanas Waterfront Bar at Gosford on the Central Coast.

The Minister drove Ms Neal away from Iguanas afterwards despite having told Parliament on May 13 that he would stop driving because he was about to lose his licence for repeated speeding offences.

Premier Iemma said today: “Mr Della Bosca has insisted he is not at fault in this (Iguanas) incident.

“He has also provided a written official apology from the restaurant concerned, which appears to support his account.

“There is currently no allegation of criminal behaviour – and given the club’s apology and withdrawal of claims – no allegation of improper conduct. “

Mr Iemma said Mr Della Bosca would explain the incident to Parliament at its next sitting, including the reasons behind his decision to drive away from the location.

“Notwithstanding the legal status of his licence, I have instructed him not to drive again in the period before his formal cancellation takes effect,” the Premier said.

“The Police Commissioner (Andrew Scipione) has today been contacted and supplied with all written materials.

“If further allegations are made by any involved party in relation to this matter, Commissioner Scipione will be asked for his consideration and advice.”

But Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell said only an independent inquiry could determine what occurred during, and after, the Iguana nightclub affair and satisfy the public whether or not undue influence was applied.

“It’s unacceptable for John Della Bosca to try and pronounce his own ‘not guilty’ verdict. It lacks any impartiality and fails the public interest test,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“After John Della Bosca’s false claim on May 13 that he would no longer drive, the public can’t believe him.

“Morris Iemma should appoint a former judge or a barrister to inquire into this affair, including Friday night’s incident and Mr Della Bosca’s subsequent actions.

“The public has a right to know what has gone on in this matter, what if any threats were made and what if any pressure has been applied to the club owners.

“Having sacked Carl Scully for lying to Parliament in 2006, Morris Iemma should apply the same test to John Della Bosca.”

Mr O’Farrell said that in addition to being Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and Education Minister, John Della Bosca was also the Minister for Industrial Relations.

“At the centre of this scandal is the treatment of hotel workers – their treatment on Friday night and since,” he said.

“Only an independent inquiry can get to the bottom of this sorry saga.”

Another ministerial scandal that Iemma has attempted to sweep aside. Does anyone really believe that the restaurant manager actually "wanted" to withdraw his allegations? When will this bunch of lunatics be held accountable for their actions? Hopefully, it will not end Iemma's BS remark that there is nothing to pursue

Suspended New South Wales Labor frontbencher John Della Bosca says he is confident police will clear him of any wrongdoing over an incident at a central coast restaurant.

A week of bad publicity for John Della Bosca and his wife, federal MP Belinda Neal, over accusations they had abused staff at Iguanas nightclub ended yesterday with him agreeing to stand aside.

Ms Neal has agreed to counselling for anger management.

Mr Della Bosca believes his stint on the backbenches will be brief.

"The police will go about their inquiries and this matter will end," he said.

"It will end, ladies and gentlemen, because there is simply nothing to it."

In an echo of the Prime Minister's words to Belinda Neal, Premier Morris Iemma says Mr Della Bosca's future is not guaranteed and action will be taken against him if police find there was improper conduct.

But Mr Iemma is now coming under fire from members of his own party.

Labor member for Coogee Paul Pearce is defending Mr Della Bosca.

He has told ABC's AM program the Minister has been treated poorly by the Premier.

"I think the whole situation with Della could have been handled very differently," he said.

"My personal view is it's one hell of a beat-up. I, for the life of me, can't see what Della's alleged to have done wrong and to that extent I can't for the life of me see why he should be required to stand aside."