Burke, grill set for april trial over ccc charges

CHRISTIANA JONESThe West Australian Former premier Brian Burke, lobbyist Julian Grill and former public servant Nathan Hondros will have their corruption cases heard by a judge alone in a

trial next year. Supreme Court Justice Peter Blaxell this morning ruled it was in the interests of justice that allegations of corruption and disclosing official information against them not

be heard by a jury. Outside court, Mr Burke said to reporters “I think the publicity, to which I think some of you might have contributed, makes it very difficult to get a fair trial

outside a judge alone (jury)”. Mr Grill said the ruling and the fact a trial date had been set for next April was a relief. Mr Grill said the case, which has been on foot since last

November, had put strain on his family. “It’s the absolute uncertainty… we don’t know whether our home is being tapped, we don’t know what else is coming out of the woodwork,” he said. “You

just sort of live in the state of uncertainty,” Mr Grill said. Mr Burke also said the allegations had put strain on his family. The accused trio stood in the dock together today and formerly

pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from a Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry last year into lobbying and alleged public officer misconduct. Mr Hondros, who refused to comment

outside court today, is accused of acting corruptly and disclosing official information to Mr Grill and Mr Burke in 2006, including a letter from then fisheries minister Jon Ford to federal

Liberal MP Eric Abetz, and a draft document relating to a pearl hatchment plan. At the time, he was chief-of-staff to Mr Ford. Mr Grill and Mr Burke are accused of acting corruptly and

procuring Mr Hondros to disclose information to them. A trial was set to begin on April 6 next year and is expected to run four weeks. The men’s bail was renewed. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM

THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR INBOX. Sign up for our emails