PANDORA'S BOX

The recent flap over comments made by both the Premier and the Minister of Justice over the approach, cost and duration of the Cameron Inquiry has been unfortunate. The government, the public and the victims all want the same thing, answers and recommendations to prevent this horrible kind of thing from happening again.

I think the Government's concerns could have been handled much better. The public pronouncements were unhelpful. Even if the concerns about inquiry counsel examination methods were legitimate, they have been overwhelmed by the approach.

The Justice Minister's call to Open Line did nothing but make the situation worse. In light of the fact that the Commission needs more time, and with that, more money, concerns about expenditures and the length of the proceedings were certainly badly timed.

Government established the terms of this inquiry, approved the time-lines and will foot the bill. They have a legitimate right to question all of these matters. I may not agree with the government's position but that does not mean they cannot ask the questions. But doing it in such a public and confrontational manner undermines the commission and makes the government look like a bully that holds all the marbles. Perhaps the Premier feels broadsided by the public reaction. Allegations of political interference were bound to be made. Talk about throwing blood in the water!

This is one of those issues that is steeped in emotion. People have died, the impact for many is unfathomable. Saving face and dodging responsibility helped create this mess in the first place. It is Pandora's Box that has been opened. Closing it before the inquiry has been able to do its job would be a mistake. This has to go on to the somber end!