14 February 2012

Zed's homework

| johnboy
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legislative assembly

With the Liberals’ timesheet saga getting worse we’ve got a copy of John Hargreaves’ motion passed by the Assembly this morning. It’s not happy reading for the Liberals, even less so because it requires them to answer an unholy series of questions by COB Thursday:

(a) why did the Leader of the Opposition fail to observe his responsibilities under the Members Code of Conduct, paragraph 8 to ensure, in relation to the acquittal of work hours by staff employed by him under the LAMS Act 1989, by allowing periods of up to 22 months to elapse without staff in his office submitting appropriate documentation in relation to attendance, TOIL and overtime;

(b) how did the Leader of the Opposition satisfy himself that recollections of attendance up to 22 months earlier were the correct recollection of attendance when he certified those records to be correct;

(c) what documentary evidence has been relied upon for the retrospective approvals for unpaid leave and attendance at work during the extensive periods in question?

(d) does the Director of Electorate Services in the office of the Leader of the Opposition work in the Leader’s Legislative Assembly office in a full-time capacity;

(e) if so, does the Director of Electorate Services have written approval to work off-site away from the office of the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with clause E8 of the Enterprise Agreement;

(f) has there been consultation with Corporate Services in accordance with clause E8.2 of the Enterprise Agreement and if so, when was that consultation and with whom;

(g) does the Director of Electorate Services in the office of the Leader of the Opposition currently occupy the position of the President of the Canberra Liberals;

(h) does this person work in the latter capacity from Level 5, 221 London Circuit, Canberra City;

(i) if so, has the holder of these positions sought and received unpaid leave from the Leader of the Opposition’s employment prior to any work as President of the Canberra Liberals, during normal working hours;

(j) have any other staff of the Leader of the Opposition have written approval to work off-site; if so, in what capacity and for what periods;

(k) have any staff employed by the Leader of the Opposition undertaken party political campaigning or related activities without having received prior approval for unpaid leave from the Leader of the Opposition; and

(l) if so, have these periods of political campaigning been declared as gifts or gifts in kind under relevant ACT and/or Federal electoral campaign finance laws; if not, why not

For those wondering where the second half of this is going Tio Faulkner is the Director of Electorate Services and also President of the Canberra branch of the Liberal Party.

This dual role has raised eyebrows before.

It gets worse for Zed though.

Because in addition to Zed’s significant homework the Speaker (Shane Rattenbury) has been directed to get a workplace audit done, which will include reconciling the timesheets with the Legislative Assembly’s building access records.

For Zed’s sake one hopes the coming homework, the retrospectively filed timesheets, and the building access records don’t show significant discrepancies.

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Micky_P said :

Alderney said :

Micky_P said :

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

I think you should read the article again. Specifically the bits that say:

‘the grants were administered through Volunteering ACT…legally the Liberal Party has done nothing wrong…the party did not try to hide anything and accepted the funding in good faith…the Liberal Party lifted the lid on a honey pot that the Labor Government should have screwed down tight’.

To hurl blame at the Canberra Liberals and to absolve the Government is disingenuous in the extreme.

I would think the phrase ‘caught stealing’ might get you in to a little legal trouble should you make yourself known.

Don’t you think that if there was any evidence they had in fact stolen the money, there would have been a charge brought?

Whatever has happened to use of the word alleged?

I said “GOT CAUGHT OUT” and I also said “stealing FROM THE POOR”. I ain’t trying to be a lawyer, but you should read what I said before you go Liberal fan-boy on me.

So yes, they did get caught out and poor people in Canberra were worse off because of the Liberals’ actions. They didn’t break any laws, and you’re right, the honey pot should have been screwed on tighter, but I guess the government shouldn’t have to expect Liberals to try take charity money.

your choice of words is very poor; your stealing from the dumb! Or are you one of them?

I’m no apologist of the Liberals, which is more than appears to be the case for you and the other side.

Rabbitohs_fan8:02 pm 17 Feb 12

Alderney said :

Micky_P said :

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

the Liberal Party lifted the lid on a honey pot that the Labor Government should have screwed down tight’.

This is a good point. With all future grants the Government should expect the absolute worst from the Canberra Libs.

The ACT Labor party continues to steal money from the poor through its ownership of the Labor Clubs. The ACT taxpayers have to pick up the tab for the hundreds of lives that are affected by the poker machines owned by the Labor Clubs so one could say that ACT Labor is run on ACT taxpayers monet as well. So, who deserves more to be in gaol?

Even if we accept the premise of your argument,that ACT Labor is being subsidised by the community – which I disagree with, Labor owns community clubs and makes a modest amount of money from them. By your logic, EVERY business is subsidised by the taxpayer if you include externalities. The ACT Liberals are being DIRECTLY funded on taxpayer money, cold hard cash from the coffers that is not intended for them.

Alderney said :

Micky_P said :

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

I think you should read the article again. Specifically the bits that say:

‘the grants were administered through Volunteering ACT…legally the Liberal Party has done nothing wrong…the party did not try to hide anything and accepted the funding in good faith…the Liberal Party lifted the lid on a honey pot that the Labor Government should have screwed down tight’.

To hurl blame at the Canberra Liberals and to absolve the Government is disingenuous in the extreme.

I would think the phrase ‘caught stealing’ might get you in to a little legal trouble should you make yourself known.

Don’t you think that if there was any evidence they had in fact stolen the money, there would have been a charge brought?

Whatever has happened to use of the word alleged?

I said “GOT CAUGHT OUT” and I also said “stealing FROM THE POOR”. I ain’t trying to be a lawyer, but you should read what I said before you go Liberal fan-boy on me.

So yes, they did get caught out and poor people in Canberra were worse off because of the Liberals’ actions. They didn’t break any laws, and you’re right, the honey pot should have been screwed on tighter, but I guess the government shouldn’t have to expect Liberals to try take charity money.

Micky_P said :

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

I think you should read the article again. Specifically the bits that say:

‘the grants were administered through Volunteering ACT…legally the Liberal Party has done nothing wrong…the party did not try to hide anything and accepted the funding in good faith…the Liberal Party lifted the lid on a honey pot that the Labor Government should have screwed down tight’.

To hurl blame at the Canberra Liberals and to absolve the Government is disingenuous in the extreme.

I would think the phrase ‘caught stealing’ might get you in to a little legal trouble should you make yourself known.

Don’t you think that if there was any evidence they had in fact stolen the money, there would have been a charge brought?

Whatever has happened to use of the word alleged?

Rabbitohs_fan said :

Jeez, Zed. If you can’t run a 10 person office, how can anyone expect you to run a 350,000 person territory.

I guess he’s taken a look at the current mob and fancies his chances.

dungfungus said :

Micky_P said :

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

The ACT Labor party continues to steal money from the poor through its ownership of the Labor Clubs. The ACT taxpayers have to pick up the tab for the hundreds of lives that are affected by the poker machines owned by the Labor Clubs so one could say that ACT Labor is run on ACT taxpayers monet as well. So, who deserves more to be in gaol?

Nice straw man. No substance but a nice straw man. Kudos.

Micky_P said :

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

The ACT Labor party continues to steal money from the poor through its ownership of the Labor Clubs. The ACT taxpayers have to pick up the tab for the hundreds of lives that are affected by the poker machines owned by the Labor Clubs so one could say that ACT Labor is run on ACT taxpayers monet as well. So, who deserves more to be in gaol?

The ACT Liberals got caught out stealing vouchers from the poor. Now they’ve been caught trying to run the ACT Liberal party on taxpayer money.

They should be in jail, not in office.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-28/hands-out-of-the-honey-pot/2775216

@Sepi
“You might be able to run a ten person office with no procedures or records and a nod and wink to your mates, but you can’t expect to run a government that way.”

Bahahahahahahaha.

You must be new. Welcome to Canberra.

The timesheets seem to be a red herring really. People are imagining that it was a normal office, with all staff turning up and doing their work, and yet the boss had said don’t worry about timesheets – not so unusual really.

But it is far from that – it is staff seconded to completely separate organisations, not turning up to work at all in the job our taxes pay them for. No wonder we have an ineffective opposition if they are farming out staff to other work.

You might be able to run a ten person office with no procedures or records and a nod and wink to your mates, but you can’t expect to run a government that way.

colourful sydney racing identity8:00 am 17 Feb 12

Rabbitohs_fan said :

Jeez, Zed. If you can’t run a 10 person office, how can anyone expect you to run a 350,000 person territory.

On the plus side, he has, by precedent, created a great employment campagin for the ACT Public Service –
Fill in a flex sheet, or not – it’s up to you! Spend time working on whatever pet project you like! Free money!!! FREE MONEY!!!!!

Rabbitohs_fan12:46 am 17 Feb 12

Jeez, Zed. If you can’t run a 10 person office, how can anyone expect you to run a 350,000 person territory.

colourful sydney racing identity2:49 pm 16 Feb 12

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Meanwhile….

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/no-punishment-for-hargreaves-geriatric-community-council-slur-20120216-1tap4.html

Hargraves is a drunk and a fool, but calling Jefrreys a closet liberal (which he is) is not on par with alleged fraud.

No, it’s not.

But just pointing out that the government is probably far from clean as well. Or maybe Hargreaves is just a borish oaf.

Maybe there should be an across the board opening of books to see what’s in there?

Actually, that would interesting.

It would be good to see a breathalyser at the door to the Chamber…

colourful sydney racing identity2:01 pm 16 Feb 12

Meanwhile….

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/no-punishment-for-hargreaves-geriatric-community-council-slur-20120216-1tap4.html

Hargraves is a drunk and a fool, but calling Jefrreys a closet liberal (which he is) is not on par with alleged fraud.

colourful sydney racing identity11:09 am 16 Feb 12

EvanJames said :

However, when we talk serious issues you only need read back through this thread to see that there are much, much more serious issues that some missing timesheets.

It’s not missing timesheets per se, but a seemingly deliberate attempt at fraudulent use of taxpayer-funded staff for an inappropriate purpose. A bit like spending the petty cash on weekly drinks, and then trying to cover it up. I presume there’s some kind of FMA Act covering ACT government, and this is in direct contravention of it, it’s not a technicality.

It is much more serious than a few missing timesheets, if the allegations are correct, we are talking about deliberate and systematic fraud. To make matters worse, Seselja was given repeated warnings about this.

The suggestion that the Liberal Party may have been the beneficiary of the alleged fraud is made all the worse when viewed in conjuntion with the recent debacle regarding the giving of community grants to party hacks by Mr Seselja’s office.

EvanJames said :

However, when we talk serious issues you only need read back through this thread to see that there are much, much more serious issues that some missing timesheets.

It’s not missing timesheets per se, but a seemingly deliberate attempt at fraudulent use of taxpayer-funded staff for an inappropriate purpose. A bit like spending the petty cash on weekly drinks, and then trying to cover it up. I presume there’s some kind of FMA Act covering ACT government, and this is in direct contravention of it, it’s not a technicality.

It could be that everybody’s right, and no one is.
Faking timesheets is serious. But so are many other things that have gone on with this government. It is getting to the stage where even the Ombudsman has called out the government for ‘creating evangelists’ against it because of the way people have been treated, and that doesn’t even start to look at the actions of various ministers over the years.

It is good to be accountable about timesheets, but when will the Greens demand accountability on so many other issues? Why is fraud or deceit a concern only if they can accuse the Liberals of doing it? And if it were so serious, why did the Assembly secretariat not report the concerns directly to the Assembly?

Disclaimer: we can’t say anything has been done until it is proven (or not).

However, when we talk serious issues you only need read back through this thread to see that there are much, much more serious issues that some missing timesheets.

It’s not missing timesheets per se, but a seemingly deliberate attempt at fraudulent use of taxpayer-funded staff for an inappropriate purpose. A bit like spending the petty cash on weekly drinks, and then trying to cover it up. I presume there’s some kind of FMA Act covering ACT government, and this is in direct contravention of it, it’s not a technicality.

On Win News last night, John Hargreaves was telling us all how serious it was because it could bring the Assembly into disrepute.

Oh John, where do we start?

I can think of a few disrepute-bringing actions to add to the list.

Gungahlin Al10:38 pm 15 Feb 12

Timesheets sound a bit boring compared with the shenanigans surrounding the awarding of Revolve’s tender….now *that*’s something ICAC would consider right up their street.

I wonder what Gungahlin Al has to say on those, given how quickly he leapt upon the Seselja issue and insulation issues.

Revolve? I don’t know enough about the issue Thumper beyond the media coverage everyone else read. But without doubt there are a number of cases that warrant Maxine Cooper’s scrutiny. GDE is a prime one as others have already said. Millions wasted.

“Leapt upon”? It’s Estimates week. Feels like I’ve barely been near RA. But I don’t think I’m the only one thinks this issue is actually a fairly serious matter of principles and the people who hold themselves up as the alternative government.

yebbut, at root, it’s just paper work.

is anyone suggesting that these staffers have diddled the act taxpayer by not working their allotted hours? i’d like to bet the eagle’s nest’s next hoard of cider that they have in fact worked in excess of their ‘standard work hours’ – so really, what’s the big deal? can we have some hype about actual like government policies and their corollary failures or successes?

jimbocool said :

geni_lou said :

Mismanagement’s very different from corruption. Everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a special type to willingly rip off public funds for their own ends. If we had an ICAC this would be considered with the weight it deserves.

Intersting point – what would ICAC make of this given its controversial investigation and findings around NSW MLA Angela D’Amore and some apparently minor anomalies regarding staff entitlements? http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/labor-mps-furious-as-payment-inquiry-widens-20101207-18og7.html

Timesheets sound a bit boring compared with the shenanigans surrounding the awarding of Revolve’s tender….now *that*’s something ICAC would consider right up their street.

‘Oh what a tangled web we weave’, once said Sir Humphrey Appleby.

There was always going to be an inherent risk in having a member of MLA staff with a position on the Management Committee of the lay Liberal Party, let alone as the President.

This has been pointed out to Liberal MsLA and I am aware of persons who have left the Canberra Liberals because of this very issue.

I recall one individual from the Southern Electorate Branch of the Canberra Liberals who brought a motion in 2010 to amend the Constitution of the ACT Division of the Liberal Party to specifically prohibit persons who work for Members in the MLA or the Federal Parliament from holding positions on the Management Committee in the lay party. Too much of a blurring of distinction between the Parliamentary Party and the lay party. That motion was roundly defeated with the assistance of the Young Liberals who, for some reason, have a vote in the Young Libs and the senior party. This is not allowed in any other Division of the Party; one is either a YL or in the senior party.

Let’s hope that this push results in changes to the Constitution of the ACT Division. I do however hope that government changes hands later this year. This Green/Labor coalition is tired, ineffectual and unable to govern effectively. Time for the Libs to be given a shot.

I think Jeremy Hanson would make a fantastic Chief Minister.

geni_lou said :

Mismanagement’s very different from corruption. Everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a special type to willingly rip off public funds for their own ends. If we had an ICAC this would be considered with the weight it deserves.

Intersting point – what would ICAC make of this given its controversial investigation and findings around NSW MLA Angela D’Amore and some apparently minor anomalies regarding staff entitlements? http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/labor-mps-furious-as-payment-inquiry-widens-20101207-18og7.html

colourful sydney racing identity10:52 am 15 Feb 12

So we are, what six months out from an election? Plenty of time for this to really get messy. One wonders what else will come out…I guess it has given John Hargaeves something to do…
http://the-riotact.com/john-hargeaves-what-a-busy-man/44813

colourful sydney racing identity10:28 am 15 Feb 12

dungfungus said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

This could actually get worse for Zed, if I recall flexsheets/timesheets are considered time and wages documents and there is a legal requirement to keep them for seven years.

I wonder if anyone has reported him to the Fair Work Ombudsman yet…the Fair Work Ombudsman, 13 13 94 – Mon-Fri 8am-6pm…

Currently, there is a 4 year waiting time for an alleged fraud matter to be heard by Fair Work, at least for Labor MPs named Thomson.

That is Fair Work Australia, not the Fair Work Ombudsman…

steveu said :

“Zed is dead babe, Zed is dead…”

Beat me to it 🙂

Maybe they are going to make up the budget shortfall by taking back all the money that was paid to Zeds staffers while they were working on Lib stuff?

I always laugh when I hear people lamenting the fools that vote Labor, or the other fools who vote Greens ’cause that just keeps Labor in power. Maybe the fools who vote in these Liberal muppets are just as stupid, there just aren’t as many of them?

Mismanagement’s very different from corruption. Everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a special type to willingly rip off public funds for their own ends. If we had an ICAC this would be considered with the weight it deserves.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back9:12 am 15 Feb 12

johnboy said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

It will be very interesting to see how they go about digging themselves out of this. I think we will likely be in for a few surprises as this unfolds. For example, are the building access logs actually retained in a usable format for a defined period of time?

Given they appear to have changed the FOI laws just to let the Canberra Times kick this puppy off I’m willing to bet they’ve made sure the access logs have got the appropriate data.

Somewhat dirty pool, but if you keep handing a man rope who’s fault is it if they hang themselves?

If, (and it’s a big if) the worst comes of this the Liberals involved will, at the end of the day, have been the ones who did themselves down.

I agree, keeping the house in order is definitely the problem, and I’m not going to defend them for a second. I’m just interested to see what comes out as part of the process.

It definitely seems that this has planned.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

This could actually get worse for Zed, if I recall flexsheets/timesheets are considered time and wages documents and there is a legal requirement to keep them for seven years.

I wonder if anyone has reported him to the Fair Work Ombudsman yet…the Fair Work Ombudsman, 13 13 94 – Mon-Fri 8am-6pm…

Currently, there is a 4 year waiting time for an alleged fraud matter to be heard by Fair Work, at least for Labor MPs named Thomson.

colourful sydney racing identity7:52 am 15 Feb 12

This could actually get worse for Zed, if I recall flexsheets/timesheets are considered time and wages documents and there is a legal requirement to keep them for seven years.

I wonder if anyone has reported him to the Fair Work Ombudsman yet…the Fair Work Ombudsman, 13 13 94 – Mon-Fri 8am-6pm…

FFS! Are these guys trying to loose?

Who would be in a third right-ish party that was anti-Greens, anti-Labor, with ACT Govt experience, economic rationalist, and with a cost of living agenda aimed at the working poor of Canberra: 25-40 yo’s?

jase! said :

why are they chasing this so hard right now? I can think of 140million reasons that were announced earlier today that don’t seem to be getting much oxygen in the media

Hahaha! I think you may have answered your own question there!

hmm… i don’t suppose that this might be a pre-emptive strike ahead of the announced budget deficit a mere 400% over estimates… though if that were the case maybe they should have kept their powder dry a bit longer. barr is saying that, despite being a *slight* bit over estimates they plan to bring the budget back into the black as per their original schedule. no need to elaborate on how he might be thinking of doing that, of course…

plenty of incompetence to go around for all…

Maybe it’s now time for ASIC to investigate who were the directors/shareholders of Rhodium Asset Solutions when it was trading while insolvent?

chewy14 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Zed is gawn

Yeah, what an imbecile to let this happen.

I can’t believe that we could get stuck with another 4 years of completely incompetent government wasting hundreds of millions of dollars (hopefully they don’t get any worse), because the opposition leader couldn’t run a tiny office.

And the fact that members of the ALP have probably been spending more time organising this sting than actually trying to effectively run our territory pisses me off no end.

But I’m sure their timesheets will be in order, so it’s OK.

Couldn’t have put it better. Says so much about ALP priorities.

Deref said :

chewy14 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Zed is gawn

All our politicians are imbeciles

I shortened that for you.

I lengthened it again.

“Zed is dead babe, Zed is dead…”

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

It will be very interesting to see how they go about digging themselves out of this. I think we will likely be in for a few surprises as this unfolds. For example, are the building access logs actually retained in a usable format for a defined period of time?

Given they appear to have changed the FOI laws just to let the Canberra Times kick this puppy off I’m willing to bet they’ve made sure the access logs have got the appropriate data.

Somewhat dirty pool, but if you keep handing a man rope who’s fault is it if they hang themselves?

If, (and it’s a big if) the worst comes of this the Liberals involved will, at the end of the day, have been the ones who did themselves down.

chewy14 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Zed is gawn

Yeah, what an imbecile

I shortened that for you.

chewy14 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Zed is gawn

Yeah, what an imbecile to let this happen.

I can’t believe that we could get stuck with another 4 years of completely incompetent government wasting hundreds of millions of dollars (hopefully they don’t get any worse), because the opposition leader couldn’t run a tiny office.

I’m kind of glad he was found out to not be able to run a tiny office, before he was voted in run an entire city.

why are they chasing this so hard right now? I can think of 140million reasons that were announced earlier today that don’t seem to be getting much oxygen in the media

VYBerlinaV8_is_back5:12 pm 14 Feb 12

It will be very interesting to see how they go about digging themselves out of this. I think we will likely be in for a few surprises as this unfolds. For example, are the building access logs actually retained in a usable format for a defined period of time?

chewy14 said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Zed is gawn

Yeah, what an imbecile to let this happen.

I can’t believe that we could get stuck with another 4 years of completely incompetent government wasting hundreds of millions of dollars (hopefully they don’t get any worse), because the opposition leader couldn’t run a tiny office.

And the fact that members of the ALP have probably been spending more time organising this sting than actually trying to effectively run our territory pisses me off no end.

But I’m sure their timesheets will be in order, so it’s OK.

I couldn’t agree more. I’m completely disillusioned with politics/politicians. I’m going to become a hippy 🙁

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Zed is gawn

Yeah, what an imbecile to let this happen.

I can’t believe that we could get stuck with another 4 years of completely incompetent government wasting hundreds of millions of dollars (hopefully they don’t get any worse), because the opposition leader couldn’t run a tiny office.

And the fact that members of the ALP have probably been spending more time organising this sting than actually trying to effectively run our territory pisses me off no end.

But I’m sure their timesheets will be in order, so it’s OK.

colourful sydney racing identity4:38 pm 14 Feb 12

Zed is gawn

Zed’s boned! If his chief of staff failed to cross check against the Assembly’s records when back dating timesheets then its not looking good for Zed.

Bye, bye Mr Doyle.

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