Opposition MPs Leave Parliament Over Delayed FLA Integrity Commission Report

Opposition lawmakers left Parliament yesterday after a dispute over the Government's delay in presenting an Integrity Commission report concerning the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA).

The issue has drawn sharp disagreement, with the Opposition insisting the findings should be placed before the public because of the level of public interest. The Government, however, maintained that the document has not yet been tabled because the related matter is before the court, and argued that releasing it could affect the proceedings. It pointed to the Ian Hayles matter as an example.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding dismissed that position and pressed for the FLA report to be brought to the House. Leader of Government Business in the Lower House Floyd Green replied that Parliament is entitled to determine how reports are handled when they involve matters currently before the court.

Green said there was no attempt to suppress or undermine the report. Golding accused him of misleading the House and again called for the report to be tabled. When the demand was not granted, Opposition members walked out and later restated their concerns at a press briefing.