Government and Public Service Corruption

[jason_recliner]

It's even worse when these ####s are stealing our money

Former NSW Labor minister Joe Tripodi to be prosecuted for alleged misconduct in public office​

• Joe Tripodi stands accused of misconduct in public office
• The former minister for ports allegedly fed confidential information to a firm linked to ex-coal baron Nathan Tinkler

Ex-Labor minister Joe Tripodi to face misconduct charge over 'highly confidential' Treasury leak

 

[jason_recliner]

Powerful home affairs boss Mike Pezzullo dumped after investigation into backchannel lobbying​

One of the most powerful figures in the public service has been dumped after leaked conversations revealed the depths of his attempts to influence the government on policy and the shape of government.

Mike Pezzullo, the head of the Home Affairs Department, was considered one of the most influential figures in the machinery of government even before alleged private conversations with a Liberal powerbroker exposed he had seemingly spent years using a political backchannel to influence prime ministers and undermine others.

Following the leaked text exchanges, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil stood aside Mr Pezzullo and referred the matter to the Australian Public Service Commission to investigate.

In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the governor-general had terminated the appointment of Mr Pezzullo.

"This action was based on a recommendation to me by the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commissioner, following an independent inquiry by Lynelle Briggs," he said.

"That inquiry found breaches of the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct by Mr Pezzullo. Mr Pezzullo fully cooperated with the inquiry."

The prime minister thanked Ms Briggs for conducting the inquiry and added that Stephanie Foster would continue to act as secretary of the department until a permanent appointment is made.

Powerful home affairs boss Mike Pezzullo dumped after investigation into backchannel lobbying

The inquiry found Mr Pezzullo had broken the public service code of conduct on at least 14 occasions. The breaches included:

• Using his duty, power, status or authority to seek to gain a benefit or advantage for himself
• Engaged in gossip and disrespectful critique of ministers and public servants
• Failed to maintain confidentiality of sensitive government information
• Failed to act apolitically in his employment
• Failed to disclose a conflict of interest

The prime minister thanked Ms Briggs for conducting the inquiry and added that Stephanie Foster would continue to act as secretary of the department until a permanent appointment was made.

Mr Pezzullo, who had a contract until October next year, was paid $931,893 in the 2022-23 financial year. He has been on full pay while stood down from his role. On Friday, a new pay determination that could seek to strip secretaries of their entitlements if they breach the public service code of conduct was signed off by the Remuneration Tribunal. This could result in Mr Pezzullo not having the duration of his contract paid out.

 

[jason_recliner]

Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas dismissed and disqualified from office after ICAC findings​

In November, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) found Mr Tsirekas accepted at least $18,000 in perks from a developer, including overseas trips, luxury hotels and nightclub visits between 2015 and 2019 as an "inducement or reward".

Angelo Tsirekas sacked as Canada Bay mayor after ICAC found he had engaged in corrupt conduct

 

[jason_recliner]

Chinese-Australian businessman Sunny Duong found guilty of seeking to influence former minister Alan Tudge​

A Melbourne man faces jail time after a jury found him guilty of trying to secretly influence former federal minister Alan Tudge to advance the aims of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Di Sanh "Sunny" Duong is believed to be the first person to be found guilty of the offence of planning to commit an act of foreign interference, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Duong made a $37,450 donation to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in June 2020, at a time when COVID lockdowns were imposed and supplies of crucial medical equipment were low.

Duong presented a novelty cheque and stood next to Mr Tudge when the cheque was handed over to the hospital CEO in front of the media. However federal prosecutors alleged it was far from a goodwill gesture — instead arguing Duong was in regular contact with Chinese intelligence operatives and was seeking to improperly influence Mr Tudge, who he regarded as potential prime minister material.

Much of the trial was held behind closed doors, with the public and media shut out of evidence given by witnesses with protected identities.

Prior to his arrest, Duong was a well-known business figure in the Chinese-Australian community and was the head of a local group called the Oceania Federation of Chinese Organisations from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. He was also involved in another group, which federal prosecutors claimed was registered with an agency of the CCP. Secret recordings captured the businessman telling an associate: "When I do things it never gets reported in the newspaper but Beijing will know what I'm doing."

Duong was released on bail and will face a pre-sentence hearing at a later date.

Chinese-Australian businessman guilty of attempting to influence then-minister Alan Tudge with hospital donation

 

[jason_recliner]

Shire of Halls Creek chief executive Phillip Cassell resigns after 'allegations', council declines to comment​

An internal investigation is underway after allegations were levelled against the chief executive of the Shire of Halls Creek in WA's north before his resignation. Halls Creek Shire president Malcolm Edwards confirmed to the ABC this morning Phillip Cassell had tendered his resignation in recent weeks after allegations about him were raised during a closed door session at a council meeting.

Cr Edwards would not make any comment about the nature of the allegations, just that they were being investigated. The shire has not released a public statement or updated its Facebook page to alert the public of the development. Mr Cassell has been contacted for comment. Musa Mono is acting in Mr Cassell's position and also declined to comment. Other councillors have also declined to provide information to the ABC about what are understood to be multiple allegations.

Outback shire tight lipped after CEO resigns after 'allegations' raised during closed door session

 

[jason_recliner]

Multiple family hires by Kununurra's MG Corporation prompts calls for government investigation​

Not Government but wouldn't exist without tax-payer funding.

The corporation's manager of youth services, Marcia Gerrard, has headed Target 120 since early 2022, and during her leadership her son, daughter and niece have all worked in the program. MG Corporation has not provided clarity about whether proper processes were followed when Ms Gerrard's family members were recruited, or detailed evidence of the program's successes to the ABC. MG said in a statement to the ABC that the board oversaw the conduct of the organisation and there were delegations of authority to ensure process was followed.

The state government regularly cites Target 120 as a key part of its strategy to address successive years of "crisis" level youth offending in the wider Kimberley. Kununurra's stolen car rates soar above other regional centres in southern Western Australia such as Bunbury, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie, despite having a fraction of the population.

State and Commonwealth funding has long poured into a range of government agencies, Indigenous organisations, and charities operating in Kununurra, which aim to improve the lives of disadvantaged families and children. Mr Bin Busu has worked extensively across the region and advocates for young Indigenous people. He said poor management of conflicts of interest continued to be a problem across organisations in the Kimberley.

Community Services Minister Sabine Winton is on leave and the ABC's questions were put to the Department of Communities. A spokesperson did not respond directly to questions about whether it would make inquiries into the recruitment of family members in Kununurra's Target 120 program.

MG Corporation has faced criticism in recent months from a group of members who want new leadership, due to concerns with travel expenses and a perceived lack of financial transparency. Members have also raised allegations the corporation broke voting rules when it re-appointed its executive chairman Lawford Benning. The corporation has also struggled with a high turnover of directors and key staff in recent years.

WA government urged to look into multiple family hires in taxpayer-funded Kimberley youth crime program​

 

[jason_recliner]

Shire of Halls Creek chief executive Phillip Cassell resigns after 'allegations', council declines to comment​

An internal investigation is underway after allegations were levelled against the chief executive of the Shire of Halls Creek in WA's north before his resignation. Halls Creek Shire president Malcolm Edwards confirmed to the ABC this morning Phillip Cassell had tendered his resignation in recent weeks after allegations about him were raised during a closed door session at a council meeting.

Cr Edwards would not make any comment about the nature of the allegations, just that they were being investigated. The shire has not released a public statement or updated its Facebook page to alert the public of the development. Mr Cassell has been contacted for comment. Musa Mono is acting in Mr Cassell's position and also declined to comment. Other councillors have also declined to provide information to the ABC about what are understood to be multiple allegations.

Outback shire tight lipped after CEO resigns after 'allegations' raised during closed door session

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09...kimberley-support-services-affected/102840688​

A former Queensland construction manager, Mr Cassell had a number of large projects in the pipeline during his tenure. He was working with the town's young people to develop a proposal for a local skate park and BMX pump track, as well as an artistic makeover of the main street and Pioneer Park. Mr Cassell had recently outlined a plan to build 35 culturally appropriate houses on the fringe of the town to ease demand and draw services to Halls Creek.

"If they prefer popularism over being debt free and cashflow positive, then so be it," he said.
Mr Cassell said the major projects currently underway would likely cease to progress now he had left the council.

Last year Mr Cassell told the ABC he had found significant savings and efficiencies in council operations to keep rate rises down, and his letter of resignation said the shire was now "completely debt free due to his work".

WA Minister for Local Government Hannah Beazley had been made aware of the resignation.

"The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is engaging with the shire in relation to these matters," a spokeswoman said.

"It is standard practice for matters that are subject to an investigation to remain confidential while those investigations are ongoing."

Former CEO of outback council speaks out about resignation in wake of misconduct allegations

 

[jason_recliner]

NSW government to rewrite ministerial code in wake of Berejiklian ICAC findings​

The New South Wales ministerial code will be updated to enshrine openness, honesty, and leadership, under changes proposed by the state government. Members of parliament will be required to make more regular disclosures about their financial interests and those of their immediate family. The government will also be legally required to respond to the Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC) recommendations.

The proposed changes stem from an investigation, in which ICAC found former premier Gladys Berejiklian failed to disclose her personal relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, who had been lobbying for government funding. The reform also aims to address recommendations of a separate ICAC inquiry, which found former Drummoyne MP John Sidoti used his position to try to influence local government decisions to benefit his family's property interests.

NSW government to rewrite ministerial code in wake of Berejiklian ICAC findings

 

[TheEscapeClub]

They should be treated more harshly than Joe Bloggs from the street.

Once any wrong doing is discovered it should be taken out of the hands of any internal enquiries.They should not be able to investigate their own mates.

 

[jason_recliner]

Halls Creek Shire defends Olabud Doogethu Indigenous program amid investigation of ex-CEO Phillip Cassell​

Halls Creek Shire has asked for community patience regarding an investigation into the former CEO, over allegations of workplace misconduct...

About 30 people at a community meeting this month voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion of no confidence in the shire.

It's been a while now. Stalling?

Remote shire breaks silence over probe of former CEO, while defending Indigenous justice program

 

[jason_recliner]

ASIO reveals plot by retired politician to introduce a prime minister's family member to foreign spies​

An unnamed former Australian politician, who was successfully cultivated by an international spy ring, once suggested bringing a prime minister's family member into contact with their foreign handlers.
...
"The spies pose as consultants, head-hunters, local government officials, academics and think tank researchers, claiming to be from fictional companies such as Data 31," Mr Burgess told an audience inside ASIO's Canberra headquarters.

"Most commonly, they offer their targets consulting opportunities, promising to pay thousands of dollars for reports on Australian trade, politics, economics, foreign policy, defence and security."

Mr Burgess has described how several years ago the A-team successfully cultivated and recruited a former, but unnamed, Australian politician.

"This politician sold out their country, party and former colleagues to advance the interests of the foreign regime."


ASIO reveals plot by retired politician to introduce a prime minister's family member to foreign spies

 

[jason_recliner]

Unnamed 'traitor' politician cultivated by spies puts loyalty of all politicians in question, says former treasurer​

In short: Former treasurer Joe Hockey says every politician will be questioned as a traitor until the politician recruited by spies is named

Unnamed 'traitor' politician cultivated by spies puts loyalty of all politicians in question, says former treasurer

Absolute DISGRACE this PoS is not named, shamed, and locked up (assuming lynching is out of the question)

 

[jason_recliner]

ASIO warns naming 'traitor' politician could expose sources​

Dutton cools on push to name 'traitor' politician, after ASIO warns it could expose sources and methods

Sounds like BS to me. Whoever was trying to use the politician would know the operation is compromised and so would already know whatever can be deduced about ASIO's methods.

 

[Bostonian]

To be a politician you have to be a natural born grifter.

They all have their snouts in the public purse trough.

 

[jason_recliner]

Tangentyere Council facing backlash over CEO's absence in community matters​

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation is one of Australia's largest Aboriginal-controlled organisations and is funded to provide housing, safety and youth services for Aboriginal people in Alice Springs. In the past financial year, it collected more than $30 million in government grants and contracts including for servicing 16 town camps dotted across Alice Springs' fringes, a women's safety group and family violence prevention programs.

... the council's chief executive — Walter Shaw — has remained silent and has declined to meet with local government and other stakeholders.

The organisation, which employs about 300 people, hasn't released an annual report since 2018.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson said the town council had been trying, without success, to meet with Tangentyere's chief executive for the past decade.

Mr Shaw has been the chief executive at Tangentyere since 2011. His father, Geoff Shaw, a former chief executive and establishing member, is the current president of the board.

Senator Price, also the Shadow Indigenous Australians minister, said she wanted an audit of Tangentyere.

Tangentyere is tasked with providing tenancy management, property management, maintenance and essential services to several town camps. Yipirinya school principal Gavin Morris said many of his students from town camps managed by Tangentyere were living in "diabolical" and "fourth world poverty" conditions. Dr Morris said Tangentyere was neglecting its responsibility to regularly clear rubbish and maintain a suitable standard of housing for families.

"There's no real sign of any type of maintenance in any of the houses that you look at across the [16] town camps which are serviced by Tangentyere," he said. "The level of rubbish and filth and faeces is a disgrace.

"The cars are smashed up … kids climbing in and out of [them] — there's hundreds of them in town camps, skips full of rubbish with nappies hanging over the edge with maggots … sitting there for weeks with children playing in and around them

NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler said no concerns had been raised with her about potential governance issues at the organisation.

One of Tangentyere's board members, Philip Miller, is a convicted domestic violence perpetrator who has been jailed for breaching multiple domestic violence orders, including a 17-month stint behind bars in 2019.

The organisation runs a suite of programs addressing domestic violence in town camps, and campaigns against family violence through its Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group.


Mr Miller told the ABC he was elected to the position by his town camp and that he had put his issues of violence behind him. "I've got that history, but I've got no issues with violence anymore," he said.

[bold mine]

Where to start on this one? No annual report in 5 years! Convicted DV offender voted onto board (tells you plenty about the community) - it's not an offence from when he was a kid, it was 5 years ago! CEO is son of chairman. $30,000,000 per year! Do you reckon him and daddy are driving LC300s???

What a DISGRACE.

 

[burge13]

Tangentyere Council facing backlash over CEO's absence in community matters​

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation is one of Australia's largest Aboriginal-controlled organisations and is funded to provide housing, safety and youth services for Aboriginal people in Alice Springs. In the past financial year, it collected more than $30 million in government grants and contracts including for servicing 16 town camps dotted across Alice Springs' fringes, a women's safety group and family violence prevention programs.

... the council's chief executive — Walter Shaw — has remained silent and has declined to meet with local government and other stakeholders.

The organisation, which employs about 300 people, hasn't released an annual report since 2018.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson said the town council had been trying, without success, to meet with Tangentyere's chief executive for the past decade.

Mr Shaw has been the chief executive at Tangentyere since 2011. His father, Geoff Shaw, a former chief executive and establishing member, is the current president of the board.

Senator Price, also the Shadow Indigenous Australians minister, said she wanted an audit of Tangentyere.

Tangentyere is tasked with providing tenancy management, property management, maintenance and essential services to several town camps. Yipirinya school principal Gavin Morris said many of his students from town camps managed by Tangentyere were living in "diabolical" and "fourth world poverty" conditions. Dr Morris said Tangentyere was neglecting its responsibility to regularly clear rubbish and maintain a suitable standard of housing for families.

"There's no real sign of any type of maintenance in any of the houses that you look at across the [16] town camps which are serviced by Tangentyere," he said. "The level of rubbish and filth and faeces is a disgrace.

"The cars are smashed up … kids climbing in and out of [them] — there's hundreds of them in town camps, skips full of rubbish with nappies hanging over the edge with maggots … sitting there for weeks with children playing in and around them

NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler said no concerns had been raised with her about potential governance issues at the organisation.

One of Tangentyere's board members, Philip Miller, is a convicted domestic violence perpetrator who has been jailed for breaching multiple domestic violence orders, including a 17-month stint behind bars in 2019.

The organisation runs a suite of programs addressing domestic violence in town camps, and campaigns against family violence through its Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group.


Mr Miller told the ABC he was elected to the position by his town camp and that he had put his issues of violence behind him. "I've got that history, but I've got no issues with violence anymore," he said.

[bold mine]

Where to start on this one? No annual report in 5 years! Convicted DV offender voted onto board (tells you plenty about the community) - it's not an offence from when he was a kid, it was 5 years ago! CEO is son of chairman. $30,000,000 per year! Do you reckon him and daddy are driving LC300s???

What a DISGRACE.

I remember post Voice failure daring to say a lot of these organisations need to be audited. There's so many billions spent and yet 'the gap is widening'. Why? Find where the bloody money is going, but that was deemed racist by some...

 

[jason_recliner]

Youth hubs scrapped in Alice Springs amid claims they 'aren't hitting the mark'​

• Three youth hubs are being closed in Alice Springs town camps, amid claims they are not "hitting the mark".
• The hubs are operated by Tangentyere Council, which has been criticised recently over a range of alleged governance issues.
• The government says funding for the hubs will be redirected to other youth services in Alice Springs.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-09/tangentyere-youth-hubs-scrapped-in-alice-springs/103825818

It's a start

 

[jason_recliner]

DPS secretary insists he acted appropriately amid reports of relationship with deputy​

The Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary services insists he has acted appropriately at all times, amid reports he had a relationship with his former deputy. Rob Stefanic was involved in appointing Catherine Saunders as his deputy, a position that has a salary of more than $420,000. Mr Stefanic said he took all appropriate steps to manage any real or perceived conflict of interest.

"I've endured repeated violation of my personal privacy based on an alleged public interest," he said. "I'll readily address questions about my integrity as is relevant to public confidence in my role however, respectfully I'm not prepared to subject further my family to further privacy incursions."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-28/federal-parliament-live-blog-senate-estimates-may28/103900328

More info on DPS:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05...om-of-information-exemption-secrecy/103897624

 

[jason_recliner]

 

[jason_recliner]

Senator Lidia Thorpe questions Northern Land Council over COVID funding misappropriation​

On Friday, Senator Thorpe questioned current land council executives if a $400,000 grant had been paid by the NLC to a remote Aboriginal corporation "to build a holiday house for Ms Scrymgour's family at Twin Hill Station". She also accused Ms Scrymgour of trying to use COVID stimulus money for political campaigning purposes.

"I've got community giving me information to ask the NLC and they want answers," Senator Thorpe said.

Ms Scrymgour said while some of her children have an association with Twin Hill Station she does not.

Senator Thorpe also questioned if two boats were bought for members of the NLC executive using the same tranche of federal COVID stimulus funding. A lawyer for the NLC confirmed the boats were purchased but did not have evidence on hand as to whether they were for private or community purposes.

Under questioning, NLC's current acting chief executive Jessie Schaecken confirmed she was investigating the spending of stimulus grants but wouldn't elaborate further.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06...-nlc-covid-funding-marion-scrymgour/103954568

 

[Rob R]

Hopefully something will be done but there needs to be a full blowing royal commission into a whole.series of Canberra Defence decisions to source from France despite Defence experts from regions (who actually use the gear) saying too risky and not good enough.

Dodgy French subs, MRF90 instead of Blackhawk, Tiger instead of Apache, throwing out a proven regulatory system that might have stopped the MRH90 crashes in favour of a French one...

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-26/anao-unethical-conduct-report-employee-french-contractor-inside/104022044&ved=2ahUKEwjb35Leh_uGAxW6hlYBHbHNA6YQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2rbVfUN3DbRklkAuKkwPRq

On SM-A125F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[jason_recliner]

He gets off Scott-free?

Corruption and Crime Commission probe into WA Ombudsman Chris Field's international travel makes 'serious misconduct' finding​

WA's corruption watchdog has made a finding of serious misconduct against the state's ombudsman for creating a sham process to bypass the premier and approve extensive international travel, and for deceiving the treasurer over a lucrative contract.

Chris Field has been in charge of handling complaints about the public service for more than 17 years, with a three-year period of that term catching the attention of WA's Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) as he jetted across the world while also serving as the president of the International Ombudsman Institute.

In its report released today, the CCC found Chris Field had created an "unmanageable conflict of interest" in using the resources of the state to carry out his work as the president of the International Ombudsman Institute. The CCC also found Mr Field failed to declare hospitality in the form of travel and accommodation, and breached procurement rules.

In August 2023, Mr Field entered into a contract for €129,640, or $210,000 with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), for a scan survey on the role of ombudsmen in civil society to be conducted. WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti sought information about the OECD project, but Mr Field "misled the Treasurer by creating a document on procurement of services that contained falsehoods".

The CCC found Mr Field was not motivated by greed or personal gain.