Further evidence on Western Women exonerates Minister

A key witness appearing before the Pike Committee investigating the Western Women Affair today admitted she had no first-hand knowledge of complaints about the group being taken to Government Minister Kay Hallahan.

Former WIRE manager Gail Gilmour told the committee that she did not join WIRE until after Mrs Hallahan had ceased to be Minister assisting the Minister for Women's Interests.

She also admitted that her evidence to the committee last week that she was aware of complaints being passed on to Mrs Hallahan was based on hearsay and that she had not personally passed on any complaints to the Minister.

In another development, Ms Gilmour clarified her earlier claim that there was a 'body of complaints' about Western Women prior to its collapse.

Ms Gilmour told the committee today that there were no complaints about financial impropriety, merely concerns about Western Women's aggressive business tactics.

Education Minister Kay Hallahan said the unjustified slur on her reputation could have been avoided if the Pike Committee had conducted itself properly.

"The selective questioning and leading of witnesses meant that the facts were not fully established," Mrs Hallahan said.

"Further, undue importance is given to third-hand recollections and unsubstantiated hearsay.

"Today's events have exposed the committee's tactics and confirm that it is on a taxpayer-funded mission for the Liberal Party.

"For my part, I have consistently said that I never received any complaints about financial impropriety on the part of Western Women while I was Minister responsible for WIRE.

"Indeed, if there had been such complaints I would have immediately severed the link between Western Women and WIRE."