I had to smile reading the Newcastle Herald article written by Kate McClymont, Michaela Whitbour, the two were reporting on the latest call ups and final appearances to the ICAC Investigation into Parliamentary Donations.
These donations have been alleged to have been given by corrupt businessmen who desire their contracts to pass through all the necessary channels unhindered and no questions asked in the process in return for monies that were secreted in slush fund companies. This is the story line so far.
The writers were correct in saying it was more entertaining than reality telly as the who's who of New South Wales politics gets called up to the live inquiry.
This is a serious show, they issue warrants to see what is going on behind closed doors. Chris Hartcher was over come with stage fright earlier on in the game when he received a warrant and had to retire with an injured pride. But the fans don't miss out on seeing Riff Raff Hartcher because its reality television and he still has to appear warts and all.
Someone who had to take the latest walk of shame was Barry O'Farrell the now former Premier of New South Wales. He was voted out because he let the team down with memory problems or to be blunt over the non disclosure of a gift of a bottle of very special Grange Hermitage 1959 Vintage.
There are strict laws around donating to politicians and the business men are bending the rules to make these fit to meet their greedy mercenary needs. Barry's memory problems bought him an early mark from last weeks action packed ICAC episode.
The herald story which you can read HERE was so witty using sentences that raise a smile and allow you to feel like they are with us on this issue, sentences like the following:
The next ICAC episode, which starts on Monday, is expected to deliver several twists and turns given that its backdrop is the stench of corruption surrounding developers, their hefty donations to political parties and possible favourable outcomes.
The stars of the show will be three central coast state MPs – former resources minister Chris Hartcher, Darren Webber and Chris Spence.
The big reveal will be the details of what favours were granted in return for generous donations.
At the centre of this twisted plot is Eightbyfive, a company controlled by Tim Koelma and Ray Carter who were former staffers to the stage frightened Chris Harcher former Energy Minister.
It is alleged this company operated secretly as a slush fund. Nick Di Girolamo recently had all of his affairs scrutinized by the ICAC judges and they found that AWB had EightbyFive on a retainer of $7333 a month. ICAC are yet to determine just what work they did for the AWB. Suspiciously the documents were destroyed in a flood in Koelma's car port. One could only deem this act of God as a convenient occurrence.
The Cast list is growing on the ICAC Reality Politics Television Show:
Tony Abbott Head of the Razor Gang / Prime Minister
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| English: Barry O'Farrell in 2010. Cropped picture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Chris Hartcher Former Liberal Energy Minister
Darren Webber Harcher Electorate Staffer
Chris Spence Harcher Electorate Staffer
Pat Sergi Undischarged Banrupt
Pat Sergi Undischarged Banrupt
Peter Hesky Developer and Hotelier
Tim Gunasinghe President, Erina Chamber of Commerce
EricStammer Yeramba Estate
Nabil Gazal Director, Gazcorp
Nabil Gazal Director, Gazcorp
Nicholas Gazal Director, Gascorp
Jodie McKay Nathan Tinkler Victim (Newcastle Labor)
Nathan Tinkler Whitehaven Coal
Cast who have already left the show
Barry O'Farrell - - - Former NSW Premier
Eddie Obeid - - - Terrigals / Senior Labor Official
Ian Macdonald - - - Mining Minister
Joe
Tripodi - - - Terrigals / Labor Figure
Anthony Kelly - - - Labor Figure
Kristina Kennealy - - Former NSW Premier / Puppet ... poppit sorry!
In 2013 the Independent Commission Against Corruption investigated these two (former) senior Labor officials, Eddie Obeid and the Mining Minister, Ian Macdonald. The Commission inquiry found the two had engaged in corrupt conduct and recommended they face criminal charges.
Back in 2009 Nathan Rees who was up for head clown re election declared regarding the election out come at the time, "Should I not be Premier at the end of this day, let there be no doubt in the community's mind that any challenger would be a puppet of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi".
Kristina Keneally denied this of course but it made her look tired for her then 41 years. She firmly stated "I am nobody's puppet, I am nobody's protege, I am nobody's girl." I dont think the clown liked puppets myself.
The corruption as I said earlier runs the full length of this country and over seas as well. A mining license was conveniently issued over the Obeid family farm. Macdonald and Obeid say they know nothing, and Australia laughs as we watch on, knowing this will make a top rate movie script. Reality Show Rules stated he Obeid is forevermore banned from ever playing the game of politics with any party in the future, permanently red carded and the same treatment was dished out to Ian Macdonald as well.
Only today it is revealed that Australian Banks have been involved in Land Grabs in third world countries. It appears their is very little in the way of scruples used in big business in Australia.The donations are said to vary in amount and have been hidden in a variety of creative ways across the nation. Chris Hartcher even used his own nephew Legal Firm to launder money and get them involved in this sordid affair that reaches far and wide.
Nathan Tinkler gave donations in the vicinty of $183,000 and that is not to be sneezed at. He really wanted his way didn't he.
Australian Water Holdings former board member Dr Shott who had his career smeared has now been cleared as well. It was found that this malicious action was premeditated and was done to get rid of him. The man had scruples and he got in their way and they sort to repay him for this by finishing his career for him. Now that is game power, Dr Shott needed a medic and finally one came in the form of ICAC.
The list goes on and on and on and on and this is a long long way from being over as ICAC go over every business dealing that Eddie Obeid ever did in Australia since coming from Lebanon.
Was there a purpose coming to Australia? I have heard stories that he may have been sent here to try to galvanize the mining industry at pace in this century in Australia because he sure was instrumental in causing a lot of mines to be passed that people are simple scratching their heads over.
Pipelines that are trashing sacred sites faster than I say Jack Robertson and the demolishing of Cobb and Co Overnight stations that are not on the main routes and out of common site is blatant disreguard for anyones actual culture and some of this is what has brought the attention squarely on them all.
Many protectors have spent hours and hours pouring over documents looking for connections in business and government and the ASX. I think some of this is actually paying off. After all it was silly of the NSW government to Appeal the Land and Environment Court. Everyone started looking then. Many ordinary people I spoke to who really showed no care either way all of a sudden were quite clear on how corrupt this was and that the Mining companies ran the NSW Parliament not the politicians. That was the word on the street back then.
Newspaper story links here:
NEWS.Com
Wiki Kristina Kennealy
Newcastle Herald
Mick Daley
Illawarra Mercury
Images @ Emipee Fotography
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