6 years ago
CASH AND KEENAN MUST COME CLEAN
THE HON BRENDAN O’CONNOR
It is now 283 days since the Australian Federal Police began an investigation into the unlawful leak to the media of the Registered Organisation Commission raid on the AWU, yet Minister Cash is still hiding from scrutiny. In Senate Estimates today, the AFP confirmed they believe a criminal offence may have been committed by somebody involved in the leak, and they have referred a Brief of Evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for assessment. The AFP would not rule out that Minister Cash or Minister Keenan had been interviewed over media leaks of the AWU raids. Nor would the AFP rule out if either of the Ministers had been interviewed as suspects or about their knowledge.
SENATOR WATT: Will you rule out Minister Cash as also having committed an offence? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: Senator again it’s not in the public interest for the AFP to answer the question on the grounds that it may prejudice the ongoing investigation of a possible breach of law. SENATOR WATT: Deputy Commissioner, can you rule out other Ministers as also having leaked this information? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: So Senator, again in the public interest it would not be in the public interest for the AFP to answer this question on the same grounds that it may prejudice the ongoing investigation of a possible breach of law. SENATOR WATT: So you can’t rule out that Minister Cash or Minister Keenan or any other Minister has been interviewed, either as a suspect or for their knowledge in this offence?
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: So Senator, the same answer applies, it is not in the public interest or the AFP to answer this question on the grounds that it would prejudice the ongoing investigation of a possible breach of the law. SENATE ESTIMATES, FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 2018 This long-running investigation was sparked by a confession of wrongdoing by a former senior member of Minister Cash’s staff. Minister Cash must explain whether the AFP has sought to interview her, whether she has participated in such an interview and whether she has cooperated with the investigation. It is in the public interest to know if the AFP is investigating the role of the Minister and her office in the leak and Senator Cash should come clean. Unanswered questions also remain as to how far this scandal extends regarding the involvement of other Ministerial offices. For months now the Minister has been missing in action, avoiding scrutiny. Senator Cash’s conduct is treating the Parliament and the Australian people with contempt.
SENATOR WATT: Will you rule out Minister Cash as also having committed an offence? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: Senator again it’s not in the public interest for the AFP to answer the question on the grounds that it may prejudice the ongoing investigation of a possible breach of law. SENATOR WATT: Deputy Commissioner, can you rule out other Ministers as also having leaked this information? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: So Senator, again in the public interest it would not be in the public interest for the AFP to answer this question on the same grounds that it may prejudice the ongoing investigation of a possible breach of law. SENATOR WATT: So you can’t rule out that Minister Cash or Minister Keenan or any other Minister has been interviewed, either as a suspect or for their knowledge in this offence?
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: So Senator, the same answer applies, it is not in the public interest or the AFP to answer this question on the grounds that it would prejudice the ongoing investigation of a possible breach of the law. SENATE ESTIMATES, FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 2018 This long-running investigation was sparked by a confession of wrongdoing by a former senior member of Minister Cash’s staff. Minister Cash must explain whether the AFP has sought to interview her, whether she has participated in such an interview and whether she has cooperated with the investigation. It is in the public interest to know if the AFP is investigating the role of the Minister and her office in the leak and Senator Cash should come clean. Unanswered questions also remain as to how far this scandal extends regarding the involvement of other Ministerial offices. For months now the Minister has been missing in action, avoiding scrutiny. Senator Cash’s conduct is treating the Parliament and the Australian people with contempt.