PREMIER Anna Bligh's former right-hand man did not pick up on inconsistencies in documents about Wivenhoe Dam's management during last year's floods and has told an inquiry it wasn't his job to do so.
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| Minister Stephen Robertson endeavours to escape the media after giving evidence to the Floods Commission |
PREMIER Anna Bligh's former right-hand man did not pick up on inconsistencies in documents about Wivenhoe Dam's management during last year's floods and has told an inquiry it wasn't his job to do so.
Ken Smith, the then director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the chairman of the State Disaster Management Group, gave evidence to the flood inquiry via telephone today.
He was asked why he did not realise there were inconsistencies in emails and government briefings over what strategy had been put in place the weekend before the floods hit Brisbane and Ipswich in January 2011.
"I didn't see that as my role to cross-check that information and whether in fact it was accurate," he told the inquiry.
"That responsibility would clearly rest with environment portfolio responsible for the operations of the dam."
In earlier evidence, Water Utilities Minister Stephen Robertson, who was responsible for the dam's operations at the time, told the inquiry it wasn't his job either.
"Ministers don't sit down at their desk comparing documents against each other. That is not a reasonable suggestion of what ministerial responsibility is all about," he said yesterday.
Mr Smith also said that during the floods he was not aware of the "W" labels given to water release strategies that have been the focus of the extended hearings of the flood inquiry.
He said he was only concerned with how water releases affected people downstream.
Mr Smith left his position last March and is now based in London as Queensland's trade commissioner for Europe.
The flood inquiry also heard increased releases from Wivenhoe Dam in the weekend before last January's historic flood would have been an irresponsible "gamble".
Sydney-based hydrologist Mark Babister fronted the inquiry this morning to explain his latest report.
The inquiry has reconvened amid accusations four Wivenhoe Dam engineers mismanaged the dam during the January flood then confected a report to hide their tracks.
Specifically, it has been suggested the engineers did not move into higher release strategies in the crucial weekend before the January 13 flood peak to give Wivenhoe the opportunity to swallow more water, and reduce flooding.
10.2.2012
