“OK the gloves are off,” were the opening words by Nationals Member for Benalla Bill Sykes, which set the tone for a blistering attack on Premier John Brumby and his ministers for their contempt of Parliamentary process.

Dr Sykes launched the attack whilst speaking in Parliament on the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) report on the 2010/11 Budget.

Dr Sykes said, “I’ve had a gutful of the Premier and his ministers breaching Parliamentary confidentiality procedures, misleading the Committee and generally treating the post budget interview process with contempt.

“I am also extremely disappointed with the double standards which apply in the Committee process. Ministers are allowed to wander far and wide from the basic theme of the enquiry in response to ‘Dorothy Dix’ questions, whereas questions from other government members of the PAEC committee are rarely answered satisfactorily.

“The process, which is meant to be an integral part of holding the government of the day accountable for the expenditure of $45 billion, has become a farce.”