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Separation of Powers

Posted by: Michael Smith | 10 February, 2010 - 1:55 PM

Tina M. Coker is one of Alabama’s prosecutors. Along with Lieutenant Brad Flynn from the Helena Police Department and Attorney General Troy King, Tina Coker is determined to bring justice to the Thomas family.

Tina has been given the job of assembling the case against David Gabriel Watson, currently residing in one of Her Majesty’s Gaols in Queensland. Tina’s in the early stages of putting the case together - but she knows where to get the evidence. Most of it is sitting in property lockers in the offices of the Queensland Police Service.

Tina’s asked the chief of police in Alabama to send a polite note to Queensland Police asking for the evidence.

Much of the evidence was sent to Queensland by Alabama authorities and they want it back.

Police routinely co-operate with each other. Requests for information from bona-fide police forces are answered routinely. Every day. That’s how we break international paedophile rings, terrorism networks and organised crime.

International criminals can expect that there are precious few places to hide. Unless you have Queensland’s politicians hell-bent on protecting you. As is the case for Tina Watson’s killer, Gabe Watson.

There’s a good reason that police forces operate independently of politicians. In our democracy, it’s known as the separation of powers. If police were subject to operational direction by politicians, we’d end up with a situation where the police minister, Attorney General or Premier might direct the Police Commissioner not to prosecute a mate – and we couldn’t have that, could we?

Unless the Premier’s mate is a killer wanted in a country whose citizens have voted in a government that supports the death penalty.

Let me be clear with this charge. Queensland’s politicians have improperly directed Queensland’s Police Commissioner not to co-operate with a foreign law enforcement agency in order to protect a person suspected of committing a crime in that foreign jurisdiction.

And that makes us an international pariah.

I wish Tina Coker well in her dogged pursuit of justice for the late Tina Thomas and the Thomas family.

Blog comments

The Bliar Government thinks that the Doctrine of Seperation of powers means they have seperate laws that relate to them and that their powers are endless. What SCUM the Blair Government are!!

Darryl Friday 12 March, 2010 - 3:18 PM
The Doctrine of the Separation of Powers has become simply a joke. It purpose is to separate the Legislature, the Executive and the Judicature. However, as an instance the Minister for Justice, the Attorney-General, is a member of the Legislature, a member of the Executive and is in charge of the States courts. Likewise the Minister for Police is a member of the Legislature, the Executive and controls the police force.
There are more examples. Whata joke.

LEONARD Thursday 11 March, 2010 - 4:15 PM
The Queensland Government's idea of separation of powers is making sure that they have sycophants in top jobs in each and every state,and moving the electoral boundaries to ensure their labor mates win votes.

Gayle Thursday 11 February, 2010 - 8:49 AM
Justice for the victims of crime has never been a high priority for this State labor government. Hence, the Queensland Police Service and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, is chronically under funded. The icing on the cake is applied by the appointment of labor leftie mates to the judiciary. The case of Gabe Watson presented a dilemna for the government. They wanted the matter off the books, but didn't want to spend any money. The result? A grubby deal by the DPP with Gabe Watson, for him to voluntarily return to Queensland to face a Manslaughter charge. The lollie was that the DPP would only seek a minimum sentence. And that is exactly what occurred. No thought of justice for the victim. Just a cheap outcome from this "soft on crime" government. My question though, is for the LNP Opposition. Why are you not bashing this government for all it is worth over this corrupt deal?

Dazza Wednesday 10 February, 2010 - 4:53 PM
I Have to ask the question, in regards to the qld government and its outright reluctance, to share any information on the said murder case, is it that the government do not want any facts to head over seas, to Alabama, as to hide the incompatencies of the case until after the state election.....? tell me i am wrong please....

Tony Kellerman Wednesday 10 February, 2010 - 4:49 PM
This Government gives you the same response as protesting to a brick wall, however when protesting to a brick wall you don't need medication for depression when you hear the response.
I told Smithy when I heard the Attorney General speak the other day, I had to switch off the radio, otherwise I would have smashed it. These people are drunk with power and they laugh at us.
I look forward to the day when Labor is just a bad distant memory, a bad nightmare and they will be.

Albert Wednesday 10 February, 2010 - 3:36 PM