IBAC probe into ‘cash for stacks’ could change political landscape
THE referral of allegations of a “cash for stacks” saga to Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission is likely to rock Labor — state and federal, writes Matt Johnston.
Opinion
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THE referral of allegations of a “cash for stacks” saga to Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission is likely to rock Labor — state and federal.
EDITORIAL: IBAC TO PROBE CASH FOR STACKS
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LABOR MP UNLIKELY TO CONTEST SEAT AT NEXT STATE ELECTION
MELBOURNE PRINTING COMPANY SAYS IT KNOCKED BACK DODGY ‘PROPOSAL’ BY FORMER VICTORIAN LABOR MP
Not only does it show how deep concerns are about allegations of a serious rort, it also means a light could be shone on the inner workings of the ALP. As it stands, Labor whistleblowers have alleged an elaborate rort involving printing allowances and false invoices.
In parliament, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy raised concerns about the office of state MP Khalil Eideh. Mr Eideh says he has no knowledge of wrongdoing and has asked for his office’s printing activities to be audited.
State parliament is conducting that audit at the moment, and has looked at hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of printing invoices.
Mr Eideh is a close ally of powerbroker and senator Kim Carr, who has used the same printer as his friend. He also says nothing inappropriate has occurred.
Today, the Herald Sun reveals Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has also used the same printer. None of this says anyone has done anything wrong, and no allegations have been proven. But Labor leaders in Victoria do not want a corruption probe swirling around them as they gear up for elections.
Premier Daniel Andrews is already facing allegations Labor rorted taxpayer money when electorate officers were used as election campaign staff in 2014. The Ombudsman is looking at that matter now.
Voters have already been treated to a minister having his dogs chauffeured around the state, and to two MPs rorting another generous allowance meant for country MPs.
At least Labor can comfort itself that Mr Guy was caught out dining with alleged mafia figure Tony Madafferi (who has denied being a mafia figure and who has never been charged with a crime).
But an IBAC probe into allegations that public money was siphoned off to pay for ALP memberships could see things get ugly.
One of the big questions that would be answered if an IBAC probe were launched would surely be: Who benefited from those memberships?
The answer to that, which many Labor figures are already pondering, could leave a trail of destruction.
Next year will see a state election, and possibly a federal election.
Andrews is hoping that despite a series of own goals Labor will have done enough to convince voters to give his team another term.
And federally, with poll after poll showing Labor having a clear lead over the Coalition Government, Shorten would be confident of taking up residence in The Lodge.
An anti-corruption probe into allegations of ALP branch-stacking could change everything.
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