Nuttall fights claims

FORMER Queensland Government minister Gordon Nuttall went to trial last month for allegedly receiving corrupt payments totalling $360,000 from a businessman and a senior public servant.

It is alleged that between 2002 and 2005, Nuttall received $300,000 in secret payments from mining businessman Ken Talbot, in addition to a payment of $60,000 from Harold Shand in 2002.

Nuttall pleaded not guilty in the Queensland District Court to 36 charges against him for receiving corrupt payments.

The trial has attracted high profile witnesses such as Premier Anna Bligh and former Premier Peter Beattie, out of an expected 40 witnesses.

Bligh was scrutinised by defence barrister John Rivett for not declaring a free Sydney holiday with a friend in 2008, drawing criticism from Beattie as well.

It also arose in court that Ken Talbot was known for his generosity in lending money, with statements from former Macarthur Coal director Don Nissen to the effect that he received loans of $380,000 between 2005 and 2006.