On 21st March, 1999 Channel 9's 60
Minutes programme made startling claims about former
Prime Minister, Paul Keating's involvement in what has
become known as "the great piggery scandal".
Two key documents in this affair, the Trust
Statement from Keating's solicitors, Gadens Ridgeway,
and Statement from Chris
Coudonaris , were first published on this site on 18th
August 1998. Until the 60 Minutes revelations, to
the best of my knowledge, they have never been published
by any other media source.
Also this site published Kerry
O'Brien's cosy chat with Keating on 9th July 1998.
Some key questions remain unanswered:
- Did Keating lie to parliament over
his piggery dealings?
- Has Keating cheated on his tax
return? 60 Minutes allege he may have. Also Keating's
self-incriminating remark that the $6 million was
"total consideration" seems to indicate he
has.
- Why did "the world's greatest
Treasurer" buy into a business heavily in
debt?
- 22 March 1999