6 years ago
INVESTIGATION INTO STUART ROBERT’S INTERNET BILL A SHAM
SENATOR DON FARRELL
Scott Morrison’s so-called investigation into Stuart Robert’s extraordinary internet data charges has been revealed as a complete farce.
Officials confirmed last night in Senate Estimates that the Department of Finance took no part in the investigation, other than to provide “some information”.
Senator Murray Watt queried whether Mr Robert’s exorbitant home internet usage had been sufficiently explained.
“What has the Department done to satisfy itself that these exorbitant charges were not the result of commercial interests,” he asked.
The Finance and Public Administration Committee heard that the Department of Finance:
- Was not involved in any discussions with Minister Robert regarding his bills;
- Did not request he provide any documentation with respect to the internet use that resulted in massive bills that were to the taxpayer;
- Was unable to provide any evidence that Minister Robert did not profit by using his taxpayer funded dedicated data line for private business purposes.
Officials also gave evidence that the Special Minister of State Alex Hawke, who was tasked by Scott Morrison with investigating Mr Robert, was on leave for a period during the investigation.
True to form, Scott Morrison clearly never took this issue seriously.
Rather than insisting on an independent investigation, Scott Morrison kept one of his closest leadership coup allies safe by having him investigated by another.
Minister Hawke must now explain exactly what he has done to ensure that taxpayers’ funds were not used inappropriately by Mr Robert.
The Special Minister of State must:
- Detail what evidence he has received to prove Mr Robert’s massive data charges were appropriate and not rung up through internet use related to his many business dealings;
- Provide details of Mr Robert’s internet bill over the period relating to the expenses he has since repaid;
- Clarify whether or not the Department of Finance raised the issue of high bills with Mr Robert and/or asked him to do something about it before the issue became public;
- Explain how his investigation was able to conclude that Minister Robert received no personal benefit from this tax payer funded scandal.