Many community members do not accept Ergon Energy’s verbal statement regarding the legal liability being put to rest (Free Times, May 10).
The prospect of any potential litigation is regarded by landholders and community members as a very serious matter.
There is nothing in today’s society that prevents one person from instituting legal proceedings against another person, regardless of the situation. Such action may place a legal obligation on a respondent [CRG member selected] to defend any action. This means, in reality, possible legal bills for the CRG member.
Whilst Ergon Energy employees may have protection by the corporation and any possible legislative provisions, any community member who voluntary performs a task on behalf of Ergon Energy, such as the CRG, does not have that same protection.
There is already talk of landholders obtaining legal advice. There is talk of a class action. There is a serious likelihood any legal action could embroil appointed members of the CRG if a recommended route is accepted by the Ergon Board of Directors.
I received what appears to be legal advice from the Project Team on behalf of Ergon Energy. I will not accept this advice. It was provided in an unsigned email. The unsigned legal opinion, of one paragraph, was from an unknown source with no corporation letterhead.
The remittance of this so-called legal advice was not very professional for a Government owned corporation.
Allen Kehoe
Warwick
