Editorial: IBAC spot fire could spread out of control for Labor
IF investigators into an elaborate printing rort find fire where there seems to be plenty of smoke, Labor could be badly burned at state and federal level.
Opinion
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WHEN MPs and political parties are forced to open the books to investigators probing serious allegations, spin and smiles can’t control outcomes.
When the Herald Sun revealed Labor whistleblowers had broken ranks and accused MP Khalil Eideh’s electorate office of being part of an elaborate printing rort, it sent shockwaves through the Andrews Government.
Probity is everything in politics, and any identified corruption by individuals or party officials can end careers and reverberate at the ballot box.
The problem for Premier Daniel Andrews and his government is that the current investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission into the printing allegations is one spot fire that could spread uncontrollably.
An initial probe by the Department of Parliamentary Services established grounds for Legislative Council president Bruce Atkinson and Legislative Assembly Speaker Colin Brooks to call in IBAC over concerns regarding up to $200,000 worth of printing invoices from Mr Eideh’s office, linked to F & M Printing and another business.
Allegations that bogus invoices were issued for printing work which was never done, to claim reimbursements from parliament, could not be more serious.
If the truth of such allegations is established, the scam amounts to fraud on taxpayers and must result in criminal charges.
Photographs published in Friday’s Herald Sun of raids on F & M Printing, together with a visit to property linked to Mr Eideh’s office manager Robert Mammarella, show that IBAC’s investigation has entered a new phase.
While Mr Eideh, Mr Mammarella and F & M Printing have denied any impropriety, Mr Eideh has stood down from his position as Upper House deputy president and will not recontest his seat at the 2018 election.
Labor insiders who raised the print allegations claim the funds were used to pay for party memberships to branch-stack four federal electorates, including that of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s seat of Maribyrnong. No allegations have been raised against Mr Shorten, and his office said it last used F & M in 2011.
Separate to the IBAC printing investigation, Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass has sought to interview multiple Labor staffers and politicians, from the Premier down, over further revelations in the Herald Sun about Labor’s misuse of electoral funds for campaign work by the so-called “red shirts” brigade in the lead-up to the 2014 state election.
The next state election is in November 2018, and a potential federal election also looms late next year.
If investigators find fire where there seems to be plenty of smoke, Labor could be badly burned at both ballots.
IBAC didn’t use sledgehammers in their raids this week, but the knock was nevertheless heard loudly at Labor headquarters.
MORE THAN JUST INDUSTRY
WHEN the last Commodore rolls off the line at Holden’s Elizabeth plant in South Australia today, the nation will see the closure of an important chapter in its industrial and cultural history.
Holden shut its Port Melbourne plant in November 2016 after producing more than 10 million engines over 68 years.
The Toyota plant at Altona put up the shutters a fortnight ago, ending 54 years of production.
And Ford closed down at Broadmeadows and Geelong in 2016, ending 91 years of proud history.
In their heyday, the production lines employed tens of thousands of workers, though in recent years efficiencies and automated technology had reduced direct jobs at the trio of car-makers to 5000.
But when downstream work across at least 120 key suppliers are considered, the impact will be felt by close to 50,000 people nationally.
After decades of heavy government subsidies, the automotive industry in Australia pulled the pin when its pitch for $300 million a year in assistance was rejected, despite a pledge to invest three dollars for every taxpayer dollar that was given. But the loss presents not only a huge challenge to retrain workers and divert employment to other sectors.
The closure of production lines signals an end to our parochial love affair with locally made cars. To get behind the wheel of a Commodore, Falcon and Camry, or in years past a Kingswood, XY or Corona, created a sense of patriotism and communal ownership. The quality, performance and style was thanks to local hands.
So many Australians have fond memories of childhood family vacations on hot vinyl seats, the station wagon or car boot loaded with gear for summer, or of the pride and sense of independence felt, on coming of age, in negotiating a three-on-the-tree transmission and washing the Torana at the weekend.
In the wake of the passing of our automotive manufacturing industry, Australia must adopt a renewed sense of entrepreneurialism and industrial endeavour.
Taking a page from the Tesla story, which welds new technology and manufacturing, would be a great place to start.
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