Same water, same valuer, $80m and nought. The same type of water licences for irrigation properties near those for which the Coalition government paid $80 million in 2017 were valued at zero between 2008 and 2010, writes investigative reporter Kerry Brewster
The Coalition paid the tax haven-linked Eastern Australia Agriculture nearly double what independent valuers recommended for water licences. Most of the record $80 million from the sale ended up with a Cayman Islands company established by Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Investigative journalist Kerry Brewster has this exclusive report.
From Robodebt to Ruby Princess, politicians are past masters at ducking responsibility, though busy prosecuting their perceived foes. Will they stop at nothing to avoid being accountable, asks Elizabeth Minter. Taxpayers are on the hook for $3 million in court costs fighting whistleblowers, and threatened High Court action to stop a federal employee giving evidence to the Ruby Princess Inquiry. All the while, in the absence of a federal anti-corruption commission, the political scandals unfold, and pass without consequence.
We are all much more likely to do the right thing when we know we are being watched. Our elected representatives are no different. And when they continue to not just get away with deceitful behaviour, but are rewarded for it, our democracy suffers. Transparency is the only solution.
When we launched QED, the aim was to create a strong narrative to call for a federal anti-corruption commission, or independent commission against corruption (ICAC). As of today we have published over 70 stories. Collectively, they reveal more than “just” dubious behaviour often bordering on corrupt; they point to a culture that is fundamentally flawed.
Angus Taylor did not declare his financial interest in a company at a meeting with senior environment officials and the office of the then environment minister, Josh Frydenberg about endangered grasslands.
The Government and its Covid Commission are pushing a $6 billion gas pipeline while new energy regulator, Clare Savage, calls into question the future of the gas networks. Meanwhile Australians still pay more for gas than customers overseas pay for Australian gas. Michael West reports on the momentous upheaval in energy.
The $80 million deal, signed off by by then-agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce, had been rejected twice and involved a company that Angus Taylor was once a director of.
The Prime Minister was roundly condemned after admitting he telephoned the NSW Police Commissioner about the investigation into the Angus Taylor/Sydney City Council affair. Both men insist the phone call was innocuous but will not release the transcript.
Angus Taylor insists that a doctored travel expenses document was obtained from Sydney City Council's website, a document he used to call Mayor Clover Moore a hypocrite.
Energy Minister Angus Taylor repeatedly stated that greenhouse gas emissions had decreased by 1% when the government’s official figures show emissions continue to increase.
Jommy Tee uncovers the tale of a director of a Palantir, beloved by spooks and law enforcement agencies who at the same time also headed up Australian anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International Australia, and how possible conflicts of interest were managed.
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