Unfortunately it’s not surprising that Australia has recorded its worst ever score on a key measure of corruption, when even our recently former Prime Minister is now being questioned on his conduct. And he is not the only one. From overly generous ‘donors’ to branch stacking and taking cushy diplomatic jobs, it can be tricky to keep track of all the misconduct, conflict of interest and abuse of power allegations that Australian politicians are currently being investigated for. So, here is a list and summary of the ‘corruption’ and integrity scandals you’ve been hearing about in the news.
If you think we’ve missed something, feel free to send an email with a link to: hey@zeefeed.com.au
Updated: 25 October 2022.
Labor Party
Marlene Kairouz, Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister
Kairoyz was also involved in the Somyurek branch stacking debacle (outlined below). The IBAC report also found Ms Kairouz to have breached elements of the ministerial and MPs codes of conduct. She resigned from her position as Minister, but remains in the Victorian government and denies any wrongdoing.
Adem Somyurek, Victoria Labor Member (Upper House)
The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) and Victorian Ombudsman held an investigation into Adem Somyurek. A report by 60 Minutes and The Age (both owned by Nine Entertainment) revealed Somyurek engaged in ‘branch stacking’ – essentially, that he created fake branch members in order to amass political influence. The reports also alleged that he took funds from business owners to pay for party membership fees, and instructed ministerial staffers to commit branch stacking activities.
The IBAC released its final report in July 2022 and determined that Somyurek did breache elements of the ministerial and MP codes of conduct. However, because branch stacking is not actually illegal (it’s only against Labor Party Rules), Somyurek will not be criminally charged.
Somyurek resigned from Premier Daniel Andrews’ ministry after the investigation came out, and was expelled from the party following the IBAC report.
Liberal Party
Stuart Ayres, NSW Liberal Member and former Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade
Ayres is currently being investigated for his role in appointing former Deputy Premier John Barilaro to a cushy New York-based trade commissioner role (more on that below). His involvement may be a breach of the ministerial code of conduct. Ayres has resigned from his positions in the NSW cabinet and as Deputy Liberal leader while the investigation lead by former public service commissioner Graeme Head goes ahead.
On 12 September 2022, a review of Ayres’ role in the scandal found he had not breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct and cleared him of wrongdoing.
Gladys Berejiklian, Former NSW Premier
In 2021, NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption began investigating Berejiklian’s involvement in granting funding to the Australian Clay Target Association (in 2016) and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga (2018). The investigation focused on the secret relationship between Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, and whether she abused her power by approving grants that she knew Maguire would personally profit from.
The ICAC hearings revealed that Berejiklian did not believe she had any obligation to declare the secret relationship. The inquiry also provided evidence through phone taps of Berejiklian telling Maguire that she would “throw money” at his electorate of Wagga Wagga.
Despite maintaining she had done nothing wrong, Berejiklian said ongoing delays with the ICAC investigation forced her to resign as Premier and from politics. The investigation is still ongoing.
Matthew Guy, Leader of Victoria Liberal Party
The Victorian government has asked the state’s electoral commission, police and ombudsman, and the Australian Federal Police to investigate claims that Matthew Guy’s chief of staff, Mitch Catlin, allegedly asked a party donor to pay $100,000 to his private marketing business.
The proposed agreement (published by The Age) would see the unnamed donor paying Catchy Media Marketing and Management $8333 a month for “supporting business interests”. Under Victorian law, political donations above $1050 must be disclosed, and are capped at $4210 over four years.
Catlin has resigned. Matthew Guy denies that this was a scheme to discreetly funnel donations to the party.
Scott Morrison, Prime Minister and Secret Minister of Health, Finance, Resources, Treasury, and Home Affairs
Whilst in power, the former prime minister secretly swore himself into five different ministries: Health, Finance, Resources, Treasury, and Home Affairs. While technically allowed as an emergency measure, taking on five Ministry roles in this way and keeping it secret has never been done before and is not in keeping with the intention of the clause. He used his secret power as Resources co-Minister to block a permit application for the PEP-11 gas exploration project – this decision is now being appealed in the Federal Court.
It is unclear exactly what consequences Morrison could face, if any. Fellow Liberal MP (and former Minister of Home Affairs) Karen Andrews has called for his resignation. The Solicitor-General has advised the government that Morrison’s self-appointments were valid, however keeping them secret undermined the principles of responsible government and is inconsistent with the intention of the clause.
The government will conduct an independent inquiry into the incident, with the details to be announced at a later date. An immediate change will also be made to Parliament processes requiring that any Ministerial appointments must be made public.
Linda Reynolds, Senator and former Minister for Defence
In 2021, Reynolds was accused of mishandling Brittany Higgins’ sexual assault complaint – and reportedly called Higgins a ‘lying cow’. On 17 October 2022, while giving evidence in the rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann (the staffer who allegedly assaulted Higgins), it was revealed Reynolds had tried to access copies of Higgins’ evidence and attempted to coach Lehrmann’s defense lawyers – inappropriate conduct not only for a witness, but a Senator. She reportedly sent a text to defence barrister Steven Whybrow telling him to look at messages Higgins sent to another staffer Nicole Hamer, indicating that these “could be revealing” for Lehrmann’s defence.
National Party
John Barilaro, Former Deputy NSW Premier and NSW National Party Leader
In Barilaro’s role as NSW Trade Minister, he was involved in the creation of international trade commissioner roles. These positions are intended to help boost the NSW economy through diplomatic trade relationships with major cities around the world. Before he resigned, he attempted to change the application process for these roles to be via Ministerial appointment.
After resigning, Barilaro was appointed to be the New York trade commissioner, despite this role having already been verbally promised to another candidate, Jenny West. A NSW Parliamentary inquiry into the events revealed that Barilaro did not have the highest ranked application, but the government agency in charge (Investment NSW) upgraded his rankings after he signed the contract. Stuart Ayres was the Industry Minister at the time, and is also being investigated for his involvement. Amy Brown, the Chief Executive of Industry NSW who appointed Barilaro, has resigned from the role.
While Barilaro initially cooperated with the inquiry, he pulled out on the second day for “mental health” reasons. The situation may still be referred to the NSW ICAC.
Barilaro was also charged with assault and malicious damage, over an incident where he attacked a freelance photographer taking photos of him on July 23. He will appear in Manly Local Court on October 12.
One Nation
Pauline Hanson, One Nation Leader and Senator for Queensland
The Australian Human Rights Commission is investigating Senator Hanson over a racist tweet telling Greens Senator and Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi to “piss off back to Pakistan”. Hanson was replying to a tweet Faruqi had published about Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Greens Party
Lidia Thorpe, Senator for Victoria
An ABC report revealed that in 2021 Senator Thorpe was in an undisclosed relationship with Dean Martin, the ex-president of the Victorian chapter of the Rebels bikie organisation. Although Thorpe says the relationship was brief, she was dating Martin while sitting on a parliamentary committee on law enforcement – posing a potential conflict of interest. Martin ended his time as Victorian President of the Rebels in 2018, years prior to the relationship. According to the ABC, Thorpe’s staffers asked her to disclose the relationship to Greens’ Leader Adam Bandt, and when she refused they raised the issue with chief of staff Damien Lawson. It’s unclear what the outcome of this was at the time.
On 20 October 2022, Thorpe resigned from her leadership positions within the Greens party. On 24 October 2022, Thorpe referred herself to the Senate Privileges Committee.
Thorpe is currently being investigated by the Department of Finance (the federal department that handles staff and HR matters) over a complaint made by Indigenous elder, Geraldine Atkinson. In a formal complaint letter, Atkinson said Thorpe spoke to her in an aggressive and intimidating manner.
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