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Seqwater under fire over 'disgraceful' conduct

By Maria Hatzakis, Thursday February 9, 2012 - 12:16 EDT

There has been more debate at Queensland's floods inquiry over a law firm's use of a private investigator.

Seqwater yesterday alleged law firm Maurice Blackburn sent an investigator to Somerset Dam, north-west of Brisbane, and he questioned two employees.

It argued the investigator purported to be from the commission, but after checking audio recordings of conversations, Seqwater withdrew the allegations.

Darryl Rangiah SC, instructed by Maurice Blackburn, today described Seqwater's conduct as disgraceful.

He also sought to tender documents to the commission so there would be a permanent record that the allegations had been withdrawn.

However, Commissioner Cate Holmes did not think it was necessary, telling the parties "it's really an issue that you two should fight out somewhere else".

Meanwhile, Queensland Water Minister Stephen Robertson is expected to give evidence at the inquiry today.

Mr Robertson is being called again as the commission tries to work out whether it has been misled about how Wivenhoe Dam, north-west of Brisbane, was operated last summer.

The inquiry reopened sittings last week amid claims it may have missed vital evidence.

Engineers have been accused of not following the strategies in the dam's operating manual and then colluding to cover it up.

The inquiry has been told evidence has surfaced that contradicts the dam operator's official account of events.

It has been almost a year since Mr Robertson first took the witness stand.

Yesterday, there were also complaints from some lawyers struggling with long hours at hearings.

Commissioner Holmes later announced an extra sitting for this Saturday to spread out the workload.

There are still almost 20 witnesses to appear over the remaining five days of hearings.

The final report is due on March 16.

- ABC

© ABC 2012