Australian democracy

[oscarmitre]

In another thread I asked how America's democracy is going due to the report of allegations surrounding some political figures. We have our own political scandal at the moment and it surrounds "jobs for the boys".

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...55E601,00.html

Bribery claims denied by Maguire
Steve Lewis and Drew Warne-Smith
19nov04

THE credibility of popular independent MP Tony Windsor was under severe pressure last night, after bribery claims against John Anderson were rejected by the businessman at the centre of the political storm.

Greg Maguire, the Tamworth entrepreneur who Mr Windsor alleges acted as an emissary for the Deputy Prime Minister, told close friends the independent MP had misrepresented suggestions that the Government would offer him a diplomatic post if he stood down.

Mr Anderson continued to totally reject the allegation that he offered Mr Windsor such an inducement to free up the seat for the Nationals.

The bribery allegation dominated the first week of parliament, taking the edge off the Government's attempts to forge ahead with its reform agenda.

Mr Maguire, who was said to be "very disappointed" by Mr Windsor's actions, is today expected to strongly deny the claims made by Mr Windsor in parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Anderson, who took over as Acting Prime Minister last night, was yesterday continuing to strongly deny he had acted illegally or offered Mr Windsor a diplomatic posting.

"I believe I have nothing to answer for at all in this matter," Mr Anderson told parliament.

"I am not the sort of person who offers these inducements."

The Australian Federal Police has been investigating the bribery claim, which carries heavy penalties and jail terms under the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

It appears Mr Windsor's allegation revolves around a proposed equine and livestock centre, to be built in Tamworth. Mr Maguire is the chairman of the project, which received $6 million in federal funding during the election.

The independent MP met Mr Maguire on May 19 to discuss the Australian Equine and Livestock Centre, with Mr Windsor later alleging the bribe was conveyed to him at this meeting.

Five days earlier, on May 13, Mr Maguire had also met with Mr Anderson, Nationals' senator Sandy Macdonald and a Nationals' staffer, Wendy Armstrong, to discuss the project.

Yesterday, Mr Windsor defended Mr Maguire, who he described as an innocent messenger.

"I think it would be a great travesty of justice if the real villains in this case, the ones who are the architects of the message, were allowed to flutter off into the sunset, rather than the messenger," Mr Windsor told parliament.

But James Treloar, the Mayor of Tamworth, said Mr Maguire had a very different understanding of the May 19 conversation.

"He has openly said, 'I don't know what they are all on about'," Mr Treloar told The Australian.

"(Mr Maguire) was acting very much on his own in relation to the equine centre and he has just given me some comments in relation to what he said in his (AFP) statement.

"Tony Windsor first brought this up as a throwaway line to a Sunday journalist and he said something along the line of, 'I've been offered many jobs'. That was a throwaway line and I think in the same context Greg Maguire had said to him, something to the effect of, 'As an independent you're not really being all that effective, why don't you join a political party'.

"And I believe Tony (Windsor) said I would never join a political party again it would be unfair on the people who voted for me."

There's a bit more to it but this sums it up pretty well. What irks me is that before the Federal Police investigation is finished (it has a way to go apparently) the Prime Minister and others are calling for Windsor to apologise and/or resign. Note, this is while an investigation is still under way. Regardless of the result of the investigation such behaviour, in my opinion, taints it. I'm not commenting on the veracity or otherwise of the allegations, just that there could be allegations of political interference in the investigation.

How would the cops doing the investigation feel?
:(

[massgrunt]

Sympathy post for Australian democracy ;)

[oscarmitre]

It needed it :D

Just an update, the police investigation has found no sustainable evidence. Now there is a call for a Senate inquiry which has coercive powers. But that won't go anywhere so it's just about all over bar the shouting.