Calling script vs one-liner?

I had a long query written up about trying to figure out why my table
wasn't executing the script as I wanted, but eventually figured out that
as an incron entry this does not work:

/var/import/foo/file.txt IN_CLOSE_WRITE /usr/bin/php
/usr/share/importer/run.php foo &> /var/import/foo/report.txt

but if I have one-line bash script containing same, and have the incron
entry:

/var/import/foo/file.txt IN_CLOSE_WRITE /usr/share/importer/bash_script

Then it works fine.

This was found through trial and error, what was it about the previous
entry that breaks?
(The /var/log/cron file shows the one-liner running, no errors shown.)

Regards,
-Patrick Barnes

--
UTS CRICOS Provider Code:  00099F
DISCLAIMER: This email message and any accompanying attachments may contain
confidential information.  If you are not the intended recipient, do not
read, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or attachments.  If
you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message. Any views expressed in this message
are those of the individual sender, except where the sender expressly, and
with authority, states them to be the views the University of Technology,
Sydney. Before opening any attachments, please check them for viruses and
defects.