ALP faces fraud inquiry
Australian Financial Review, September 7, 2000 

Queensland's anti-corruption watchdog, the Criminal Justice Commission, has launched a full public enquiry into widespread allegations of electoral fraud in the Labor Party. Following legal advice, the CJC appointed retired Supreme Court judge Mr Tom Shepherdson to chair the enquiry. The timing of the enquiry will be vital for the Government, which faces an election in the next nine months.

The leader of the Opposition, Mr Rob Borbidge, claimed there was a "question mark" over the legitimacy of the Government, which holds power with a one seat majority. "For a Government, this is as serious as you get" Mr Borbidge said. "The allegations (in North Queensland) are just a tip of the iceberg and this is Beattie's Titanic". Mr Shepherdson is expected to begin holding public hearings in early October.