TRANSCRIPT OF QUESTION TIME
QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Government Services. What questions remain unanswered arising from the Watt Review into contracts and procurements?
BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVCES: Members of the House will recall that late last year and again this year, there have been disturbing reports in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald about the undeclared but very active relationship between de facto Canberra lobbying firm Synergy 360 and the outgoing Member for Fadden. Following these articles, the heads of my agencies initiated an inquiry. The inquirer, Dr. Watt, identified 19 contracts worth $374 million requiring further examination.
He explained that the review only had the ability to look at one side of the contracts, that of the public officials, but not of the vendors, former Ministers, MPs or their offices. Subsequently, the Member for Bruce has chaired the JCPAA and looking at these most concerning matters. But a common thread across the undisclosed conflicts of interest, valuable government contracts and Synergy 360 and Special Access, is the outgoing Member for Fadden. He's tendered his resignation, but crucial questions remain unanswered. What role did the Member for Fadden play in coaching commercial interests seeking special access to Commonwealth contracts? Did the Member for Fadden supply the same insider knowledge of government to any other of his 100,000 constituents? Did the Member for Fadden ever, directly or indirectly, seek to or receive a financial benefit from Synergy 360? Is there still a potential benefit owed to him? What is the Member for Fadden's previous and current interest in the Australian Property Trust? Is he the beneficiary of any other trusts or structures controlled by individuals linked to Synergy 360? What agreement did the member for Fadden and his fundraiser, John Margerison, have in relation to profits derived from Synergy 360?
There's a further report in today's Age and Sydney Morning Herald that notes it's not just the Government who feels there are questions to be answered. Eminent legal professionals believe these matters need to be looked into by an investigative body with the power to compel evidence and witnesses. Justice Anthony Whealy KC, Stephen Charles KC, Clancy Moore, Chief Executive of Transparency National Australia, Geoffrey Watson SC all agree that the actions and the issues around this warrant further investigation.
I note in closing, the Member for Fadden has unusually said that he won't come to Parliament to deliver a valedictory speech because he considers it a vanity project. Not even a thank you to his electors. I do not believe that these actions are the way that 98% of the people in this House conduct themselves. But I do believe that the Member for Fadden owes the people and his Coalition colleagues, he owes all of those opposite, an explanation as to what he did and why he did it.