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Mike Baird vows corruption crackdown as Liberals wash dirty linen at Icac Mike Baird vows corruption crackdown as Liberals wash dirty linen at Icac
(4 months later)
NSW premier Mike Baird has vowed to crack down on the state's politics as the Liberal party continued to wash its dirty linen at the public inquiry into corruption.NSW premier Mike Baird has vowed to crack down on the state's politics as the Liberal party continued to wash its dirty linen at the public inquiry into corruption.
Baird made his pledge on Wednesday as a former vice-president of the state’s Young Liberals contradicted claims by Marie Ficarra, the state upper-house member who stood down from the party on Monday, that she had directed a political donation from a property developer to the party’s youth wing.Baird made his pledge on Wednesday as a former vice-president of the state’s Young Liberals contradicted claims by Marie Ficarra, the state upper-house member who stood down from the party on Monday, that she had directed a political donation from a property developer to the party’s youth wing.
Charles Perrottet, the younger brother of NSW finance minister Dominic Perrottet, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that he did not “recall” receiving instructions from Ficarra that he should contact a property developer, Tony Merhi.Charles Perrottet, the younger brother of NSW finance minister Dominic Perrottet, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that he did not “recall” receiving instructions from Ficarra that he should contact a property developer, Tony Merhi.
The Icac hearings are providing daily embarrassment to the Liberals. Two weeks ago, state premier Barry O’Farrell resigned after the inquiry heard that he had received a $3,000 bottle of wine from former Australian Water Holdings boss Nick Di Girolamo.The Icac hearings are providing daily embarrassment to the Liberals. Two weeks ago, state premier Barry O’Farrell resigned after the inquiry heard that he had received a $3,000 bottle of wine from former Australian Water Holdings boss Nick Di Girolamo.
Baird told reporters on Wednesday that he would be the “worst nightmare” of any colleagues found to have acted improperly by Icac.Baird told reporters on Wednesday that he would be the “worst nightmare” of any colleagues found to have acted improperly by Icac.
“I don’t care what political badge you have … If you have done wrong and Icac has shown you have done wrong, then I am your worst nightmare,” he said.“I don’t care what political badge you have … If you have done wrong and Icac has shown you have done wrong, then I am your worst nightmare,” he said.
Baird promised he would soon unveil reforms to clean up the state’s politics.Baird promised he would soon unveil reforms to clean up the state’s politics.
"The actions we take will be strong, they'll be swift and the community will see that we're determined to fix and ensure that events that have been unravelling for many weeks down at ICAC do not happen again," he said."The actions we take will be strong, they'll be swift and the community will see that we're determined to fix and ensure that events that have been unravelling for many weeks down at ICAC do not happen again," he said.
Ficarra withdrew from the parliamentary Liberal party on Monday after Icac heard she had solicited a prohibited donation worth $5,000 from Merhi.Ficarra withdrew from the parliamentary Liberal party on Monday after Icac heard she had solicited a prohibited donation worth $5,000 from Merhi.
Shortly after Merhi met with Ficarra, on 17 March 2011, the developer gave $5,000 to Eightbyfive, the sham political consulting firm set up by a former staffer of Chris Hartcher, Tim Koelma.Shortly after Merhi met with Ficarra, on 17 March 2011, the developer gave $5,000 to Eightbyfive, the sham political consulting firm set up by a former staffer of Chris Hartcher, Tim Koelma.
Ficarra alleges that she told Merhi that, as a property developer, he was banned from donating to the Liberal party, but that he should get in touch with Perrottet to give money to the Young Liberals.Ficarra alleges that she told Merhi that, as a property developer, he was banned from donating to the Liberal party, but that he should get in touch with Perrottet to give money to the Young Liberals.
But Perrottet denied ever being in contact with Merhi. "I've never met him, and I don't believe I’ve ever spoken to him,” he told the commission on Wednesday.But Perrottet denied ever being in contact with Merhi. "I've never met him, and I don't believe I’ve ever spoken to him,” he told the commission on Wednesday.
Phone records showed that on the day Ficarra met with Merhi, she had called Perrottet a number of times. Asked if it was possible that Ficarra had requested the number of a lobbyist, and Perrottet has passed on Koelma’s details, he said: "That could have happened, absolutely".Phone records showed that on the day Ficarra met with Merhi, she had called Perrottet a number of times. Asked if it was possible that Ficarra had requested the number of a lobbyist, and Perrottet has passed on Koelma’s details, he said: "That could have happened, absolutely".
His testimony puts further pressure on Ficarra, who on Monday said she “strenuously denied” she connected Merhi with Eightbyfive.His testimony puts further pressure on Ficarra, who on Monday said she “strenuously denied” she connected Merhi with Eightbyfive.
The inquiry is investigating allegations that Eightbyfive was a slush fund for Hartcher and other central coast Liberals including Chris Spence and Darren Webber, used to solicit donations from property developers after they were banned from giving money to political campaigns in 2009.The inquiry is investigating allegations that Eightbyfive was a slush fund for Hartcher and other central coast Liberals including Chris Spence and Darren Webber, used to solicit donations from property developers after they were banned from giving money to political campaigns in 2009.
Text messages presented to the inquiry on Wednesday suggested Hartcher was personally involved in soliciting donations from coal magnate Nathan Tinkler.Text messages presented to the inquiry on Wednesday suggested Hartcher was personally involved in soliciting donations from coal magnate Nathan Tinkler.
A former Hartcher staffer, Aaron Henry, texted Koelma in June 2010 saying: "CPH [Christopher Peter Hartcher] wants confirmation the invoice has been sent to Patinack Farm." A former Hartcher staffer, Aaron Henry, texted Koelma in June 2010 saying: "CPH [Christopher Peter Hartcher] wants confirmation the invoice has been sent to Patinack Farm."
“Confirmed”, Koelma replied shortly after.“Confirmed”, Koelma replied shortly after.
Patinack Farm is the thoroughbred business owned by Tinkler, which records show made $66,000 in payments to Eightbyfive. Tinkler was scheduled to appear before the inquiry on Friday, but his testimony has been delayed.Patinack Farm is the thoroughbred business owned by Tinkler, which records show made $66,000 in payments to Eightbyfive. Tinkler was scheduled to appear before the inquiry on Friday, but his testimony has been delayed.
The commission was also shown an email Henry sent to the Terrigal Young Liberals outlining “The Rules of Black Ops”, modelled on the rules from the David Lynch film, Fight Club.The commission was also shown an email Henry sent to the Terrigal Young Liberals outlining “The Rules of Black Ops”, modelled on the rules from the David Lynch film, Fight Club.
Henry said the term “Black Ops” referred to the practice of going out at night during election campaigns and removing opposition posters and placards. The rules included “Black shirts and black shoes” and “When someone yells stop, goes limp, or taps out, the night is over”.Henry said the term “Black Ops” referred to the practice of going out at night during election campaigns and removing opposition posters and placards. The rules included “Black shirts and black shoes” and “When someone yells stop, goes limp, or taps out, the night is over”.
The practice was used “in order to help keep Young Liberals engaged”, Henry said.The practice was used “in order to help keep Young Liberals engaged”, Henry said.
The inquiry also heard from Timothy Trumbull, an accountant described by counsel assisting, Geoffrey Watson, SC, as an “avid anti-socialist”. After reaching his own personal donation limit, the Bondi accountant is alleged to have funnelled donations to the Liberal party through his employees, none of whom were Australian citizens.The inquiry also heard from Timothy Trumbull, an accountant described by counsel assisting, Geoffrey Watson, SC, as an “avid anti-socialist”. After reaching his own personal donation limit, the Bondi accountant is alleged to have funnelled donations to the Liberal party through his employees, none of whom were Australian citizens.
Trumbull said he was eager to see the then-Labor state government defeated, and that the donations were “organised so that no laws were broken”. Though the cheques were drawn in March 2011, records showed they were not banked until November of that year, and that they were placed in the trust account of Hartcher’s old law firm, Hartcher Reid.Trumbull said he was eager to see the then-Labor state government defeated, and that the donations were “organised so that no laws were broken”. Though the cheques were drawn in March 2011, records showed they were not banked until November of that year, and that they were placed in the trust account of Hartcher’s old law firm, Hartcher Reid.
The inquiry has heard that Hartcher Reid’s trust account was systematically used by Hartcher and his associates to “wash” illegal donations.The inquiry has heard that Hartcher Reid’s trust account was systematically used by Hartcher and his associates to “wash” illegal donations.
Earlier in the day, the NSW parliamentary secretary for veteran’s affairs, Charlie Lynn, told the inquiry he had been “used” by Hartcher and Di Girolamo, a Liberal fundraiser, to dig up dirt on Sydney Water.Earlier in the day, the NSW parliamentary secretary for veteran’s affairs, Charlie Lynn, told the inquiry he had been “used” by Hartcher and Di Girolamo, a Liberal fundraiser, to dig up dirt on Sydney Water.
The chief of the water authority, Kerry Schott, was opposing a bid by Di Girolamo’s company, Australian Water Holdings, to secure a lucrative contract to provide water infrastructure to Sydney’s north-west.The chief of the water authority, Kerry Schott, was opposing a bid by Di Girolamo’s company, Australian Water Holdings, to secure a lucrative contract to provide water infrastructure to Sydney’s north-west.
Lynn admitted that Hartcher was behind a freedom of information (FOI) request his office had submitted, seeking documents that could be used to destabilise Schott’s position. It was among the first FOI requests he’d filed in his 19-year parliamentary career.Lynn admitted that Hartcher was behind a freedom of information (FOI) request his office had submitted, seeking documents that could be used to destabilise Schott’s position. It was among the first FOI requests he’d filed in his 19-year parliamentary career.
AWH had paid Eightbyfive $183,000 in political consulting fees.AWH had paid Eightbyfive $183,000 in political consulting fees.
The inquiry also heard on Wednesday that a central coast businessman, Robert Osborne, had “purchased” access to Hartcher with a $7,000 donation to Eightbyfive.The inquiry also heard on Wednesday that a central coast businessman, Robert Osborne, had “purchased” access to Hartcher with a $7,000 donation to Eightbyfive.
Osborne denied the allegations, claiming the fee, paid in January 2011, had been for the development of a website for his pub.Osborne denied the allegations, claiming the fee, paid in January 2011, had been for the development of a website for his pub.