Federal ICAC yes! But the crisis in Australian Politics isn’t CRIME but ETHICAL Corruption
Federal ICAC yes! But the crisis in Australian Politics isn’t CRIME but ETHICAL Corruption
The issue
Labor Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KCMP to Labor's credit, introduced their National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill to the House of Representatives - which was passed by the Lower House with the support of Liberal National Party MPs, the Greens and the crossbench.
It was also passed by the Senate although not with all the amendments wanted by some to increase its effectiveness and stop it from becoming a play-thing of a future 'ruling' Government .
However, apart from the issue of Public Hearings which has been discussed widely and publicly - one of the things that was NOT included in Labor's NACC Bill - that WAS in Helen Haines the Independent Member for Indi's Legislation - was a Parliamentary Code of Conduct!
And this my friends, is a MAJOR problem for democracy in Australia because ETHICS - and in MANY cases the LACK of them - affects EVERY vote in our Parliament and the way EVERY Government department is run.
Now the battle for a Federal ICAC has been won by the MAJORITY of Australians making their opinions well heard - we need to be aware that the job is ONLY HALF-done!
The Legislation is also NOT clear on whether the NACC will cover 'grey' corruption such as the ETHICAL DEFICIT that led to Robodebt, the rorting of a publicly-funded Grants Program to massively "Pork Barrel" MP's electorates before the 2019 Federal election AND that murky behaviour that a few politicians engage in such as NOT declaring when they have a Conflict of Interest - considered Corruption in every Australian Public Sector's Code of Ethics!
So ETHICALLY abstaining from voting or acting on legislation which could possibly benefit them - or the interests of family and friends at 'arms-length' - may NOT be covered?
The problem is that WITHOUT a Code of Ethics OUTLINING EXACTLY what is considered CORRUPT behaviour by a POLITICIAN (and possibly their political party) and having real penalties means that unless the Corruption is CRIMINAL and can be referred to the AFP or other criminal investigative authority - WHAT ACTION can the NACC TAKE against a POLITICIAN?
MPs & Senators CAN'T be sacked from their jobs like Public Sector WORKERS CAN, they can't lose their travel allowances and privileges or be forced to take a pay cut as Public Sector WORKERS CAN.
They can't be banned from ever becoming a Minister of the Crown.
So without an ENFORCEABLE Code of Integrity/Ethics/Conduct - which the major parties will ensure will NEVER happen - what can the NACC actually DO to our political 'masters'?
Even being censured by PARLIAMENT is just a temporary embarrassment!
Australians may be very disappointed that our new NACC or Federal ICAC is likely not to make much difference to how our most UNETHICAL Politicians behave!
Whenever I have listened keenly to Mark Dreyfus speak about the NACC he has consistently referred to CRIMINAL and systemic Corruption - when we ALL know the GREY areas - is ALSO what concerns Australians!
Such as the emails that have been uncovered about Liberal Member for Fadden, Stuart Robert's dealing with a lobbying company where it is alleged "that he assisted the firm, Synergy 360, navigate the federal public service and meet key decision-makers including now Opposition Leader Peter Dutton."
"Leaked emails show Mr Robert introduced Synergy 360 to overseas officials and businessmen.
Mr Robert also vouched for Synergy’s managing director and majority shareholder, David Milo, while the firm is partly owned by a company controlled by Mr Robert’s friend and former business partner John Margerison." (my emphasis)
On Friday, 24/11/2022, The New Daily reported it had new information about Mr. Robert's dealings while a Minister that may make part of this 'grey' area a little more black and white - but that remains to be seen.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/11/24/stuart-robert-connection-revealed/
There are a number of Politicians in OUR Parliament who have 'played' these 'grey' areas - not covered by any ENFORCEABLE Ethical Code - over the past decade or so - especially when it comes to declaring a Conflict of Interest and NOT voting on legislation that they actually do have a Conflict of Interest in PASSING!
Yes there are Ministerial Standards but Australians MUST know these Standards are ONLY as strong or ETHICAL as the Prime Minister administering them!
In Malcolm Turnbull's case, it was BECAUSE he was completely powerless as he was constantly at risk of being removed as Leader by the very people he was TRYING to manage!
Recent media discoveries of Scott Morrison's Machiavellian style of politics shows what we ALREADY knew - that ETHICAL behaviour and actions were NEVER something he was EVER concerned about!
Demonstrated quite remarkably (by the LACK of Public Concern!) by his setting up of HIS OWN National Covid19 Coordination 'Commission' of only Corporate CEOs - that for quite some time ran OUR country ALONE without any Parliamentary OR Cabinet oversight!
When it comes to Conflict of Interests, I'm not sure how many people in the southern States are aware of the fact that Queensland Senator Matt Canavan's FAMILY have major interests in the Coal industry. His BROTHER John was an Executive at Peabody and now is on the board of Winfield Investments Group - of which John Canavan's wife Tanya owns 59%.
Senator Canavan's Conflict of Interest is not just restricted to Queensland - his tentacles of influence are spread all over Australia!
The AFR reported in 2019 that:
"Matt was in full election mode last February, demanding more coal-fired power stations, when John and Hammond closed a more modest deal, to buy out Itochu’s 12.5 per cent of Rolleston.
That share gives them 2 million tonnes a year of steaming coal, with a handy introduction to Glencore’s offshore coal marketing arm – and won’t that give them something to talk about at Canavan family gatherings."
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/matt-canavan-s-family-obsession-with-coal-20190822-p52jm0
Michael West Media also summarises in an easy to read format and video the links that Senator Canavan has to the coal industry
https://michaelwest.com.au/senator-hon-matthew-canavan/
At his National Press Club Address luncheon address in 2018, Canavan was unapologetic as RESOURCES Minister to be spending the majority of his time advocating for MOSTLY ONLY ONE resource industry because “I stand on a platform that is unashamedly pro-coal. I got elected on that basis."
Good for First Australians too apparently - after USING them to support his cause - he without shame voted against a motion to PROTECT Aboriginal People's rights in respect to Adani!
https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/matthew_canavan/policies/24
At the same NPC address he also bemoaned the influence of America in our democracy: “Here we have millions of dollars coming out of the United States… seeking to influence our democratic processes, and what are we doing about it?”
He now happily has a studio in his own home where he enthusiastically pushes the Republican interests of hard Right Christian Ideology as a commentator on Sky News - OWNED by American Citizen Rupert Murdoch!
When you closely check the web-site 'They Vote For You' (or in Canavan's case - Vote for Their Own Interests!) we can see that Senator Canavan voted FOR at least 3 pieces of legislation that definitely WOULD or definitely COULD BENEFIT the interests of his own family and AGAINST 18 (EIGHTEEN!) pieces of Legislation (to protect HIS FAMILY'S interests?) such as AGAINST the rights of Land Owners and protection of Aboriginal Heritage Sites, AGAINST transitioning to Renewable Energy, keeping our Barrier Reef safe, increasing Transparency in big business, Federal Government Intervention in Animal and Plant Extinctions, Protecting Australia's Fresh Water, a Minerals Resource Tax, a Carbon Tax, Net Zero Emissions by 2035 AND 2050 - and that is NOT everything he has tried to PREVENT that are against the best interests of Australians, their Children and Grand-Children without EVER declaring he had a Conflict of Interest and ETHICALLY abstaining from VOTING!
https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/matthew_canavan
An interesting take on Canavan's support for the Coal Industry was written by the Sydney Morning herald in February 2018 which discusses Canavan's undying advocacy for Adani and his attempt to besmirch and damn environmentalists - which he continues on his current (paid?) gig on Sky News:
One of the problems is of course, that the Parliamentary Register of Members and Senator's Interests does NOT even INCLUDE any reference to Politicians' FAMILY Corporate involvements or other lobbying interests other than their spouse, Partner or children - because these are NOT ASKED FOR on the Registration of Interests Form!
Please check for yourselves - the Registry Form is so light-weight - it doesn't even ASK about possible Conflicts of Interest from other EMPLOYMENT OR CLOSE FAMILY or Associates. If it did, it wouldn't mean they'd have to NAME the person but just write e.g. brother a mining executive, close-friend/ business associate director of a medical company!
And actually make a SIGNED DECLARATION our elected Representatives WILL declare to Parliament a Conflict of Interest arising during their parliamentary duties.
But no, the registrar of Interest Forms seem to work on a 'don't ask, don't tell' MINIMUM information strategy - so ethically slippery Politicians aren't TECHNICALLY breaking the law!
These are the kinds of 'loop-holes' that Politicians have that many Australians don't have and are not necessarily aware of.
https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members/Register
Nor do Politicians HAVE to declare if they have any other EMPLOYMENT - like the LOWEST paid part-time Public Sector WORKER is expected to do!
Public Sector WORKERS as part of THEIR Code of Ethics have to: a) ASK PERMISSION to be able to do another job outside the Public Sector and b) MUST declare if this employment could result in a Conflict of Interest when doing THEIR PS role.
But NOT Politicians!
Which means WE the Australian people MUST rely on investigative journalists to find out this information - even though this is COMPLETELY relevant as to how a politician MAY VOTE on issues that they are MEANT to vote for the benefit of ALL Australians!
Other issues that should be of concern to Australians is the lack of Whistleblower Protection in the NACC - which WILL affect the ability of the NACC to do its job..
None of the current weak Whistleblower protections have been 'beefed up' so prosecutions of David McBride (which incidentally the Labor Goverment CONTINUES), Bernard Collier and Witness J & K's secretive trials could STILL happen!
This petition is way too long already but I will post a future update when time allows, about HOW Politicians (both federally and in EVERY State) NOT being subjected to the same Ethical Codes that they IMPOSE on Public Sector WORKERS adversely affects our democracy in a HUGE way!
Thank you in advance for your support.
1,147
The issue
Labor Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KCMP to Labor's credit, introduced their National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill to the House of Representatives - which was passed by the Lower House with the support of Liberal National Party MPs, the Greens and the crossbench.
It was also passed by the Senate although not with all the amendments wanted by some to increase its effectiveness and stop it from becoming a play-thing of a future 'ruling' Government .
However, apart from the issue of Public Hearings which has been discussed widely and publicly - one of the things that was NOT included in Labor's NACC Bill - that WAS in Helen Haines the Independent Member for Indi's Legislation - was a Parliamentary Code of Conduct!
And this my friends, is a MAJOR problem for democracy in Australia because ETHICS - and in MANY cases the LACK of them - affects EVERY vote in our Parliament and the way EVERY Government department is run.
Now the battle for a Federal ICAC has been won by the MAJORITY of Australians making their opinions well heard - we need to be aware that the job is ONLY HALF-done!
The Legislation is also NOT clear on whether the NACC will cover 'grey' corruption such as the ETHICAL DEFICIT that led to Robodebt, the rorting of a publicly-funded Grants Program to massively "Pork Barrel" MP's electorates before the 2019 Federal election AND that murky behaviour that a few politicians engage in such as NOT declaring when they have a Conflict of Interest - considered Corruption in every Australian Public Sector's Code of Ethics!
So ETHICALLY abstaining from voting or acting on legislation which could possibly benefit them - or the interests of family and friends at 'arms-length' - may NOT be covered?
The problem is that WITHOUT a Code of Ethics OUTLINING EXACTLY what is considered CORRUPT behaviour by a POLITICIAN (and possibly their political party) and having real penalties means that unless the Corruption is CRIMINAL and can be referred to the AFP or other criminal investigative authority - WHAT ACTION can the NACC TAKE against a POLITICIAN?
MPs & Senators CAN'T be sacked from their jobs like Public Sector WORKERS CAN, they can't lose their travel allowances and privileges or be forced to take a pay cut as Public Sector WORKERS CAN.
They can't be banned from ever becoming a Minister of the Crown.
So without an ENFORCEABLE Code of Integrity/Ethics/Conduct - which the major parties will ensure will NEVER happen - what can the NACC actually DO to our political 'masters'?
Even being censured by PARLIAMENT is just a temporary embarrassment!
Australians may be very disappointed that our new NACC or Federal ICAC is likely not to make much difference to how our most UNETHICAL Politicians behave!
Whenever I have listened keenly to Mark Dreyfus speak about the NACC he has consistently referred to CRIMINAL and systemic Corruption - when we ALL know the GREY areas - is ALSO what concerns Australians!
Such as the emails that have been uncovered about Liberal Member for Fadden, Stuart Robert's dealing with a lobbying company where it is alleged "that he assisted the firm, Synergy 360, navigate the federal public service and meet key decision-makers including now Opposition Leader Peter Dutton."
"Leaked emails show Mr Robert introduced Synergy 360 to overseas officials and businessmen.
Mr Robert also vouched for Synergy’s managing director and majority shareholder, David Milo, while the firm is partly owned by a company controlled by Mr Robert’s friend and former business partner John Margerison." (my emphasis)
On Friday, 24/11/2022, The New Daily reported it had new information about Mr. Robert's dealings while a Minister that may make part of this 'grey' area a little more black and white - but that remains to be seen.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/11/24/stuart-robert-connection-revealed/
There are a number of Politicians in OUR Parliament who have 'played' these 'grey' areas - not covered by any ENFORCEABLE Ethical Code - over the past decade or so - especially when it comes to declaring a Conflict of Interest and NOT voting on legislation that they actually do have a Conflict of Interest in PASSING!
Yes there are Ministerial Standards but Australians MUST know these Standards are ONLY as strong or ETHICAL as the Prime Minister administering them!
In Malcolm Turnbull's case, it was BECAUSE he was completely powerless as he was constantly at risk of being removed as Leader by the very people he was TRYING to manage!
Recent media discoveries of Scott Morrison's Machiavellian style of politics shows what we ALREADY knew - that ETHICAL behaviour and actions were NEVER something he was EVER concerned about!
Demonstrated quite remarkably (by the LACK of Public Concern!) by his setting up of HIS OWN National Covid19 Coordination 'Commission' of only Corporate CEOs - that for quite some time ran OUR country ALONE without any Parliamentary OR Cabinet oversight!
When it comes to Conflict of Interests, I'm not sure how many people in the southern States are aware of the fact that Queensland Senator Matt Canavan's FAMILY have major interests in the Coal industry. His BROTHER John was an Executive at Peabody and now is on the board of Winfield Investments Group - of which John Canavan's wife Tanya owns 59%.
Senator Canavan's Conflict of Interest is not just restricted to Queensland - his tentacles of influence are spread all over Australia!
The AFR reported in 2019 that:
"Matt was in full election mode last February, demanding more coal-fired power stations, when John and Hammond closed a more modest deal, to buy out Itochu’s 12.5 per cent of Rolleston.
That share gives them 2 million tonnes a year of steaming coal, with a handy introduction to Glencore’s offshore coal marketing arm – and won’t that give them something to talk about at Canavan family gatherings."
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/matt-canavan-s-family-obsession-with-coal-20190822-p52jm0
Michael West Media also summarises in an easy to read format and video the links that Senator Canavan has to the coal industry
https://michaelwest.com.au/senator-hon-matthew-canavan/
At his National Press Club Address luncheon address in 2018, Canavan was unapologetic as RESOURCES Minister to be spending the majority of his time advocating for MOSTLY ONLY ONE resource industry because “I stand on a platform that is unashamedly pro-coal. I got elected on that basis."
Good for First Australians too apparently - after USING them to support his cause - he without shame voted against a motion to PROTECT Aboriginal People's rights in respect to Adani!
https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/matthew_canavan/policies/24
At the same NPC address he also bemoaned the influence of America in our democracy: “Here we have millions of dollars coming out of the United States… seeking to influence our democratic processes, and what are we doing about it?”
He now happily has a studio in his own home where he enthusiastically pushes the Republican interests of hard Right Christian Ideology as a commentator on Sky News - OWNED by American Citizen Rupert Murdoch!
When you closely check the web-site 'They Vote For You' (or in Canavan's case - Vote for Their Own Interests!) we can see that Senator Canavan voted FOR at least 3 pieces of legislation that definitely WOULD or definitely COULD BENEFIT the interests of his own family and AGAINST 18 (EIGHTEEN!) pieces of Legislation (to protect HIS FAMILY'S interests?) such as AGAINST the rights of Land Owners and protection of Aboriginal Heritage Sites, AGAINST transitioning to Renewable Energy, keeping our Barrier Reef safe, increasing Transparency in big business, Federal Government Intervention in Animal and Plant Extinctions, Protecting Australia's Fresh Water, a Minerals Resource Tax, a Carbon Tax, Net Zero Emissions by 2035 AND 2050 - and that is NOT everything he has tried to PREVENT that are against the best interests of Australians, their Children and Grand-Children without EVER declaring he had a Conflict of Interest and ETHICALLY abstaining from VOTING!
https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/matthew_canavan
An interesting take on Canavan's support for the Coal Industry was written by the Sydney Morning herald in February 2018 which discusses Canavan's undying advocacy for Adani and his attempt to besmirch and damn environmentalists - which he continues on his current (paid?) gig on Sky News:
One of the problems is of course, that the Parliamentary Register of Members and Senator's Interests does NOT even INCLUDE any reference to Politicians' FAMILY Corporate involvements or other lobbying interests other than their spouse, Partner or children - because these are NOT ASKED FOR on the Registration of Interests Form!
Please check for yourselves - the Registry Form is so light-weight - it doesn't even ASK about possible Conflicts of Interest from other EMPLOYMENT OR CLOSE FAMILY or Associates. If it did, it wouldn't mean they'd have to NAME the person but just write e.g. brother a mining executive, close-friend/ business associate director of a medical company!
And actually make a SIGNED DECLARATION our elected Representatives WILL declare to Parliament a Conflict of Interest arising during their parliamentary duties.
But no, the registrar of Interest Forms seem to work on a 'don't ask, don't tell' MINIMUM information strategy - so ethically slippery Politicians aren't TECHNICALLY breaking the law!
These are the kinds of 'loop-holes' that Politicians have that many Australians don't have and are not necessarily aware of.
https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members/Register
Nor do Politicians HAVE to declare if they have any other EMPLOYMENT - like the LOWEST paid part-time Public Sector WORKER is expected to do!
Public Sector WORKERS as part of THEIR Code of Ethics have to: a) ASK PERMISSION to be able to do another job outside the Public Sector and b) MUST declare if this employment could result in a Conflict of Interest when doing THEIR PS role.
But NOT Politicians!
Which means WE the Australian people MUST rely on investigative journalists to find out this information - even though this is COMPLETELY relevant as to how a politician MAY VOTE on issues that they are MEANT to vote for the benefit of ALL Australians!
Other issues that should be of concern to Australians is the lack of Whistleblower Protection in the NACC - which WILL affect the ability of the NACC to do its job..
None of the current weak Whistleblower protections have been 'beefed up' so prosecutions of David McBride (which incidentally the Labor Goverment CONTINUES), Bernard Collier and Witness J & K's secretive trials could STILL happen!
This petition is way too long already but I will post a future update when time allows, about HOW Politicians (both federally and in EVERY State) NOT being subjected to the same Ethical Codes that they IMPOSE on Public Sector WORKERS adversely affects our democracy in a HUGE way!
Thank you in advance for your support.
1,147
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Petition created on 26 November 2022