‘Wild accusations’: retiring LNP MP Stuart Robert denies fresh allegations

Bill Shorten orders Services Australia investigate ‘disturbing allegations’ that federal leases were awarded to a company linked to a key fundraiser and former business partner of Stuart Robert.

Former Morrison government minister Stuart Robert has strenuously denied any wrondoing in relation to Synergy 360. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Peter Dutton says the new anti-corruption watchdog should investigate allegations his colleague Stuart Robert stood to benefit from a Canberra consultancy’s kickbacks in exchange for government contracts.

Retiring Liberal National Party MP Mr Robert has rejected as “wild” fresh allegations he ­directed Centrelink to award ­lucrative government leases to the company of one of his former business partners and key political fundraisers.

The former Morrison government minister for government services and the NDIS also denied consultancy firm Synergy 360 – then co-owned by two of his associates – planned to funnel money to him in exchange for acquiring federal contracts.

The Opposition Leader said the claims were a job for the new National Anti-Corruption Commission, due to start on July 1.

“I think there’ll be a number of matters that get referred to the corruption commission, and I think that’s appropriate – if there’s evidence people believe they have, it should be referred for independent investigation,” Mr Dutton said. “We would support that process.”

He said he expected Labor would run a “grubby” campaign on the back of the allegations surrounding Mr Robert in the by-election for his Gold Coast seat of Fadden, to be held on July 15.

Former Morrison government minister Stuart Robert has strenuously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Synergy 360. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The allegations are contained in a signed statement from Anthony Daly, a co-founder of Synergy 360, to parliament’s joint committee of public accounts and audit. Dated May 27, Mr Daly’s five-page document is protected by parliamentary privilege and is part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into $374m in contracts awarded by Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Mr Daly said he helped his then-wife Khamphone Xaysavanh and David Milo in September 2017 arrange a share structure that would give a third person, John Margerison and his company United Marketing, part-ownership of Synergy 360.

“Ultimately, this arrangement was designed to facilitate the flow of funds through United Marketing and onward to Stuart Robert,” Mr Daly said.

“The main objective of this arrangement was to secure Stuart Robert’s involvement and support in acquiring federal government contracts. Stuart Robert’s political influence and connections within the government sector were deemed crucial in ensuring favourable outcomes.”

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten in parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Daly also alleged that meetings with Synergy 360 clients and Mr Robert were organised at the shareholders’ homes and parliament so the clients could have “direct discussions” with the minister about “forthcoming tenders and contracts”.

He claimed that at a Synergy 360 Christmas Party in 2018, Mr Milo told him Mr Robert had directed “Centrelink leases towards properties owned by one of Margerison’s companies, resulting in favourable terms such as high rents and long lease durations”.

In his signed statement, Mr Daly said Mr Robert was human services minister at the time. According to parliamentary records, he was assistant treasurer.

Mr Daly said he was willing to co-operate with an NACC hearing, would testify under oath and would provide documents to verify his claims.

Mr Robert resigned from parliament in May.

Corporate records show Mr Robert was a director of Mr Margerison’s company JM National Property Pty Ltd for about five months in 2018. Mr Margerison was also the head of Mr Robert’s political fundraising body, the Fadden Forum.

Mr Margerison has been ordered to appear before the parliamentary committee on July 28.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said he had asked Services Australia to check whether there were any leases of the nature outlined by Mr Daly; he described the allegations as “disturbing”.

Mr Robert denies the alle­gations, and has accused Mr Daly of stealing emails from Mr Milo – a claim rejected by Mr Daly.