Saturday 18 July 2009

Nuttall jailed for 7 years


Jailed: Gordon Nuttall being driven into court this morning (ABC TV News)


District Court Chief Judge Patsy Wolfe has sentenced former Queensland
Government minister Gordon Nuttall to seven years in jail.

Nuttall, 56, will be eligible for parole after two-and-a-half-years.

On Wednesday, a Brisbane jury found Nuttall guilty of 36 counts of
corruptly receiving payments from businessmen Ken Talbot and Harold
Shand.

Judge Wolfe this morning told a packed courtroom that Nuttall must be
sentenced to the maximum penalty of seven years because of his position.

She said his position as a minister of the Crown meant his offence was one
of the gravest examples of receiving secret commissions.

She said deterrence was also a factor but that Nuttall's cooperative conduct
during the trial was in his favour because the proceedings could have lasted
much longer.

Nuttall closed his eyes and shook his head when the sentence was read out.
Members of his family were in tears. As he was led away by guards, Nuttall
told his family "I love you all".
Nuttall has been taken to Wolston Correctional Centre, west of Brisbane.

He will be assessed today before authorities decide whether or not he will
go into protective custody or remain in the mainstream at the prison.
Nuttall will be issued with prison clothes and toiletries and undergo an
induction program. He will live in a single cell alongside more than 500
other inmates.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the sentence shows no one is above
the law. "These crimes by Mr Nuttall reflect very poorly on him and his
judgement," she said. "I think it would be harsh and unreasonable for anybody
to judge the rest of Queensland on the actions of this man. "What these actions
have resulted in demonstrate beyond doubt the robust nature of our justice
and political system in Queensland in the 21st century."
Further charges
Meanwhile Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has confirmed
he is finalising his advice to the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) on
whether Nuttall should face further unrelated charges.

A statement issued yesterday afternoon said a brief of evidence was sent
to the DPP last September and additional material was provided earlier this
year.

Action was suspended to avoid prejudicing the current proceedings, but the
DPP will now consider whether Nuttall should face further charges.
Ms Bligh said yesterday she had no idea her former Cabinet colleague was
taking secret commissions but that she had every confidence in her current
Ministry.

She said Nuttall's superannuation payments would be stopped and all money
paid to him so far would be recovered.

Attorney-General Cameron Dick said Nuttall's home at Sandgate on Brisbane's
northside could also be sold to recover the $360,000 in secret commissions,
plus interest.

The DPP and the CMC will await the exhaustion of any appeal options available
to Nuttall before proceeding, but the property is secure and that money will be
recovered in due course.
Written By: ABC News
WCV's: So when are they going after Jeff Kennett? There is enough evidence
to put him into prison just like they have Nuttal, so why aren't they doing it?
Does Jeffery have special powers that protect him?
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