Anthony Albanese expects more revelations might ‘come out’ as ICAC investigation continues
Labor leader Anthony Albanese says he is already in discussions to overhaul the structure and culture of the party’s NSW branch, as he expects more revelations might ‘come out’.
NSW
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Anthony Albanese believes Labor is in a “diabolical situation” following revelations of a donor racket allegedly being run out of NSW party headquarters.
The federal leader said he had already begun discussing how the culture inside the NSW branch of the party could be changed, slamming those behind the crisis and confirming he expected more to “come out” as the ICAC hearings continued.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating whether the NSW Labor Party attempted to circumvent strict election donation laws at a Chinese Friends for Labor fundraising dinner in March 2015.
Evidence at last week’s hearings include the allegation a Chinese property developer walked in to Labor headquarters with an ALDI bag stuffed with $100,000.
Mr Albanese said the revelations from the first week of hearings were damaging to the individuals involved, to the NSW Labor headquarters at Sussex Street and the party overall.
“The behaviour is completely unacceptable to me,” he said on Sunday.
“I find it quite shocking the revelations that have been made before the ICAC this week.”
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While Mr Albanese said that he didn’t agree with calls by Labor senator Kristina Keneally to tear down the branch’s Sussex Street headquarters, he backed the decision of state leader Jodi McKay to axe state boss Kaila Murnain.
“The individuals — Kaila Murnain — has been removed from her position and that is appropriate,” he said.
“Certainly Jodi McKay and I have had discussions, and we will continue to have discussions … about reviews that need to take place.”
Mr Albanese said it was important any action wait until the end of the ICAC hearings to avoid political interference in the process.
“There’s no point having a review announced of reforms today if then there’s a need for response to further revelations that might come out,” he said. “The ICAC doesn’t hold a five-week hearing because they think everything is going to come out in the first week. That’s the truth, and everyone in the media knows that.”
Mr Albanese said there were “clearly some problems with accountability” in the party. He said the average ALP member would have known nothing about the donation scandal.
“I knew nothing about this,” he said. “I’d never heard of the bloke, Kenneth (sic), I’d never heard of him, never seen in him my life. And the fact is, the actions of some individuals … has damaged the Party.”
Mr Albanese said he would have a “lot more to say” about the inquiry in the future once ICAC had completed its work.
“We need to allow it to do its work unencumbered.”
WONG SET FOR ICAC RETURN
A former NSW Labor MP accused of lying during the ICAC inquiry into an alleged illegal political donation will return to give evidence on Monday.
Ernest Wong is expected to appear today and tomorrow, after last week being accused of avoiding questions and giving false evidence under oath, which he denied.
Kaila Murnain — who is due to appear again on Thursday — last week gave evidence Mr Wong told her Labor received a large donation from Huang Xiangmo.