After hearing recent evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, I find this line too good to resist: “Moses Fingers Jesus as Culprit in Mining Maps”.
I refer, of course, to Moses Obeid, son of Eddie the ex-NSW MP and much respected pillar of our community who is currently appearing before ICAC with its enquiries. He referred the counsel assisting to a certain Nazarene when asked why there were pencil marks on mining maps that should not have been out of the Department of Mineral Resources, let alone in the offices of the Obeids where they were found after a raid.
This family is now under investigation for allegedly acquiring a few pittances from insider knowledge about mining leases issued by the state government that led them to buy up land in the Bylong Valley. The few pittances seem to be in the range of $60 to 100 million and ICAC is intent on questioning the relevant minister of the time, Ian McDonald, who seems to have received great affection from hundreds of phone calls in one year from the Obeids.
To continue the religious line, I’m sure Premier Barry O’Farrell is thanking God each night and thinking She votes Liberal. Probably, Tony Abbott is as well. After all, the latter has been banging on since 2010 about the “faceless” men (I’m sure I know what Mark Arbib looks like) who dominate the NSW branch of the Labor Party and deposed Kevin Rudd, thus exporting the “NSW disease” to federal politics. That is, “our Kev” went into a revolving door and came out as “that Julia”, just as Morris Iemma, Nathan Rees and Kristina Keneally twirled through as Premiers of this great state.
It’s been a potent line, even if it was slippery with the facts. Nevertheless, the link between these successive political casualties is the aforementioned Eddie, once the formidable party powerbroker and leader with Joe Tripodi of the “Terrigals” faction which dominated the Right faction of the parliamentary Labor Party and so dominated the rest of the party in the NSW parliament. Thus, Bob Carr was more Sergeant Schultz than premier in this squalid scenario.
Transport, health and other infrastructure were boiling concerns for voters but after Iemma was deposed they were left with the impression of a party not only disappearing up its own fundament but only concerned with itself.
For example, ICAC and Eddie are old acquaintances, if not BFFs. He appeared before ICAC in 2002 over allegations of a $1 million donation to the party for a development project in Liverpool.
Consequently, according to election analyst Antony Green, the 2011 state election was a “pretty devastating result for the NSW Labor Party”. Although a lot of rubbish has been uttered in the past about traditional Labor battlers deserting the party for the Coalition (see this paper for a sensible rejoinder), Green stated “The Liberal Party even won a majority of the vote in Western Sydney, a first preference vote of 43.5% to 36.6% for Labor, a Liberal two-party vote of 53.8%”. The Coalition were also outpolling Labor in heartlands like the lower Hunter, such as Newcastle. More than a year later, the local elections of 2012 reinforced this trend.
Now, in 2013, a similar picture of NSW has emerged federally. One poll of 54 marginal seats show the ALP on 45.1% and the Coalition on 54.9% on two party preferred basis. This is in the realm of other polls. Significantly, it predicts a loss of more than ten seats in this state with double digit swings bashing Labor.
In other words, the election of the O’Farrell ministry did not lance the electoral poison in the hearts of many voters towards Labor. Usually, the animus moves on, as happened in Queensland after the political tsunami that hit Anna Bligh and left her party small enough to fit in the parliamentary bathroom.
If nothing else, Obeid’s appearances before ICAC in 2002 and 2013 demonstrate how different the Labor Party was from the beast of old. As much as Abbott likes to claim the “NSW disease” is the problem there is another. Since the 1990s, the constant complaint has been about the empty heart of the party, the vacuum of beliefs, the failure of anybody to know what it stands for.
Obeid is more symptomatic of a greater problem. He rose to power, wealth and parliament in the era after the Hawke government dismantled many of the old beliefs. The party has been left without an ideological compass, meanwhile, the careerists moved up the political and economic ladder without a worry.
All this provides a delicious opportunity for Barry O’Farrell. He can relish the constant drip of revelations between now and federal election day and enjoy the slow roasting of Labor. With a straight face, he can front the cameras on the rooting out of all that is naughty and not nice to voters and portray his own side as up holders of the public good.
Of course, his memory will remind him to avoid blowback to this own side. In the late 1980s, Nick Greiner capitalised on perceptions of Labor corruption to become premier and then set up ICAC. However, the new body later concluded he was corrupt in an offer of a public service job, although the courts threw this out. But the whole thing damaged the Coalition and lay dormant in its recesses for a long time.
O'Farrell will also remember the Fitzgerald inquiry launched in Queensland in 1987. This was set up by the acting premier while Joh Bjelke-Petersen was out of the state in response to an ABC Four Corners expose of corruption of politicians and police. It not only caused the downfall of Joh and the gaoling of three former Coalition ministers and a police commissioner but also initiated a major overhaul of the political system. Fitzgerald wanted to establish structures and procedures that would improve accountability and reduce the possibilities of swapping of favours and political donations.
Like O’Farrell and Greiner, Labor leader Wayne Goss rode into power on a wave of revulsion at political corruption and a promise to clean things up by implementing the Fitzgerald Report. Consequently, the Criminal Justice Commission was established to oversee political and bureaucratic behaviour. Parliamentary committees were bolstered. An independent electoral commission was set up to ensure fairness and to eradicate the malapportionment and gerrymandering that buttressed Joh. In other words, Queensland finally entered the late twentieth century of parliamentary government and democratic accountability.
Nothing is so good for a politician as riding the popular waves of disgust at the game of politics. That’s what Wayne, Nick and Barry found. But nothing so ambitious as the Fitzgerald Report is wanted by Barry for fear of blowback on his side and losing the political advantage he currently enjoys.
In fact, he will press home the advantage with changes to political donations to cut off the ALP from union funding, all under the guise of fairness. And enjoy the reality TV program called ICAC.
Stephen John Ralph
carer
And to think The Conversation has an article titled "Is An Intervention needed in Tasmania".
Good Grief - If NSW were a person a gigantic and painful enema would be called for.
The state under successive governments has for decades been a synonym for graft and corruption. Neither side can claim the moral high ground, but Labor has the most to answer. The rest of the country seems to sigh pathetically as if a recalcitrant child is "at it again". We all should hang our heads in shame to think that in the 20th & 21st centuries these lowjinks were continually perpetrated in a state of the federation.
If a local council can be sacked by a state government, and a federal government can be sacked by a G.G., surely there should be provisions for a federal government to sack an amoral, corrupt and feral state.
Lynne Newington
Lynne Newington is a Friend of The Conversation.
Researcher
I don't know about unable to claim the high ground, but NSW premier Morris Iemma couldn't have gone higher than virtually giving an open cheque [and concessions] at the tax-payer expense for the papal visit in 2008, with the recession just around the corner.
Maybe he was hoping for a heavenly intervention.
Peter Redshaw
Retired
Stephen, why was it a labor government under which this sort of corruption happened. It is very simply it was labor governments that were in place in not only New South Wales, but most other states across the nation at the time. Remember this happened during the greatest period of excess and greed that has happened in this country and around the world in living memory. This was the period that brought about the Global Financial Crises after all. There was plenty of excess, corruption and illegality…
Read moreRobert McDougall
Small Business Owner
maybe the time has come for the public to be much harder on our politicians and by extension the media?
When they start spinning, flick the bird and demand better. Everyone has seen parliament question time and switched off in disgust.
Remove parliamentary privelage, remove "cabinet discussions are confidential" clauses, remove "commecial in confidence" provisions.
If it occurs in the Parliamentary domain, it shoud also occur in public domain. After all, we employ them and have a right to know exactly what they are doing, if they are not prepared to keep us truthfully informed they shouldnt have the privelage of their positions.
Media, start by asking real questions, don't take obvious guff as truth, challenge all their motherhood and nebulous statements and get off the partisan hack train.
Pat Moore
gardener
So many smelly fish in the state of Denmark & the show of the prevaricating Hamlet as a deciding voter was dispensed with long ago in this Theatre of Corruption where most of the action goes on behind the set.
Choice of this outfit or that outfit, the party backers/ the party corralers/milkers.......let's play democracies.
Misinformed/ilinformed/deceived voters serve to legitimatize an illegitimate system? They enable the pantomime to play on while "Rome" burns.
Sydney always wore its 'city of sin' badge proudly. Not so happy with the eventual state- bleeding- into- federal political outcome?
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
Too easy a target ... absolutely inevitable that any political leader will sink the slipper into an opposition mired in corruption. And so they should. Labor should be out of office in NSW for at least a decade - however long it takes for every vestige of the old order to fade away. And that from a lifelong Labor voter.
What is the government actually doing while all this stuff is happening - who scrutinises the scrutinisers? What does the NSW parliament actually do for a quid? Why is ICAC…
Read moreKaren Witcombe
logged in via Facebook
It is not just NSW that has this unsavoury disconnect between the ideals and reality of politics. NSW is in the spotlight now but look under the surface in most other areas of politics all around the country and you will find the same noxious slime. I'm sure there are plenty of public-spirited politicians - well, a few at least, just as there are capable and dedicated servants of the public, but the bad guys are still winning most of the time. A turn at the ballot box every three years or so doesn't really do much to allow true democracy to flourish. Power corrupts, there is no doubt of that at all, but public service is largely a thankless task. What to do?
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
No I'm sure other levels of government attract their own predators - but in NSW it is built into the very system of parliament - a failed system from the days of Bligh. Nor is the failure and the corruption restricted to Labor.
Have a look at this - the proposed schedule of sitting days for the Parliament of NSW for 2013 - all 60 of 'em: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/HHBSitDay2013
Meanwhile the Executive Government with your McDonalds and your Fast Eddies are off…
Read morebrent warwick
architect
I think a really large overhaul is required. Politicians not allowed to take positions in public companies they dealt with in office. Bob Carr and Peter Reith come to mind . A charter of responsibility for all MP's to sign . An oversight committee on public spending. An end to government funding of union schemes.A more transparent list of donors perhaps with each party being audited in regards to their election spending....... that could be a start ......... i'm sure this could be expanded on
Stephen John Ralph
carer
Hi Lynne
from my personal point of view I would not automatically equate the word moral with religion, whichever sect or denomination.
I'm not familiar with what $ incentives Mr Iemma allowed the pope et al, but it didn't seem to do him much good in this world.
Steve Hindle
logged in via email @bigpond.com
What has happened to the Labor party? The NSW branch seems like underbelly without the guns. Craig Thompson and Eddie Obeid are going to be winning the 24hr news cycle all the way to the election and poor Julia Gillard can't win a trick. Perhaps God does have a sense of humour and he knows how to deal with an atheist.
Felix MacNeill
Environmental Manager
Steve, I still want to see the outcome of Carig Thomson's trial - I still think there is some reason to doubt his guilt and some strange, if largely circustantial, evidence around a few other players in the HSU and FWA - but, even though (as you can tell from what I've just said) I'm very inclined to give people a fair hearing and look at both sides in a political conflict, I find it vanishingly difficult to doubt the guilt of Obeid and McDonald.
I'm a bit like Peter Ormonde on this one - while I'd probably rather chew razor blades than vote for the current coalition parties, the whole NSW ALP edifice needs to be comprehensively demolished. Historically, there's a lot the ALP has a right to be proud of, but it's all rapidly getting tainted by the NSW right.
Stephen John Ralph
carer
Karen
politicians will come and go, but unfortunately the corrupt and greedy developers, entrepreneurs and devious capitalists are with always ready to pray on others who can advantage their need for greed.
The lobbyist system in the U.S. is a synonym for a schools of sharks circling it's feed, and it is happening here as well.
I think it was mentioned in a comment in The Conversation a short while ago that ex-politicians should be outlawed from taking up paid positions whereby they can lobby or influence decision-making ala Mark Ahbib and others. That of course is NOT to suggest any wrong-doing by these people, but adhered to as a matter of not only doing good, but be seen to be doing good.
Bruce Tabor
Research Scientist at CSIRO
Great article Mark. My main issue is that Bob Carr is much more like Colonel Klink (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogan%27s_Heroes#Colonel_Klink) rather than Sergeant Schulz. Carr (like Klink) was supposedly in charge. Clearly the corruption grew under his watch. We need to know why Carr did nothing. Klink was simply incompetent. What is Carr's excuse?
Stephen John Ralph
carer
Mr Tabor
I don't think you are being fair to the tenure of Bob Carr as premier of NSW.
There are two sides to every story so they say, but in balance BC's 10 years in office would seem to be an excellent record of achievements. No-one can achieve everything they either want to or fulfil public expectation.
To compare BC to either Colonel Klink or Sargeant Schultz is a very shallow attempt at characterisation.
Sure have a go at him for what you believe were major failures, but it would seem to me (a Victorian) that premiership was pretty damn good and not linked to any personal taint of corruption, although perhaps you could argue that factionalism played a part in his history - not sure.
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
"...factionalism played a part in his history - not sure."
'Fraid so Stephen. While Carr actually achieved some good things in NSW - not least a massive expansion of National Parks - the price tag of his Premiership was the eventual utter domination of Cabinet, caucus and Parliament by the Right of the NSW ALP.
These old-time Catholic unionists and long-lunchers were ripe for the picking... and a much more sinister element took over like rust or dry rot.
But it started with Richardson…
Read moreBruce Tabor
Research Scientist at CSIRO
Mr Ralph,
The analogy to Sargeant Schultz was made by the articles author. I was simply pointing out the Colonel Klink was a more apt analogy.
This corruption within NSW Labor had been going on for decades - all through the 10 year reign of Bob Carr (whom incidentally, I supported). Surely Carr knew about it. The public certainly did. It's important to understand why he was unwilling or unable to stop it.
Bruce Tabor
Research Scientist at CSIRO
Some insight into the relationship between Bob Carr and the Terrigals is to be found in this fascinating article, "Day of the Terrigal":
http://www.workingpapers.com.au/publishedpapers/2216/Paper/Day_of_the_Terrigal.pdf
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
Bruce I reckon the corruption was political under Carr... the disproportionate influence of the NSW Labor Council and the Administrative Committee... essentially a bunch of old mates and union fellas who looked after each other and travelled in packs.
But I reckon it was infiltrated by some very ugly types during the 1990s... big money, big donors, big numbers in branches, solid blocks of votes and favours and debts invested everywhere. They just took over the collapsing machinery.
And I'd very much doubt the rot was limited to one crooked Minister.
There should be a process where the affairs of Mr Obeid and his family, and several other Labor members and senior public servants are examined forensically. If I was O'Farrell I'd look at a Royal Commission with a two year timetable.
Stephen John Ralph
carer
Hi Peter
thanks for a bit of history.
A history of the Labor party would in reality be a history of factional "warfare" ( to use a strong metaphor).
I guess that's what makes the Labor the institution it is. No good pretending it doesn't exist, and no doubt at all it still continues to play a big role in the current climate.
So for Labor supporters it would appear that because it always been there and always will, you either stay Labor supporters or move onto the Greens of the independents - or noy of course.
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
Must admit I'm not the only bloke around here who wishes they could clone Tony Windsor. A font of common sense.
Labor got such a kicking in the Hunter Valley where I am. Unheard of. They were punished. It wasn't a vote for O'Farrell but a vote against Sydney Labor.
The ALP vote might come back around here sooner - the quality of local candidates determines that a bit - but while they still have an unelectable, compromised, machine-made man out front they will remain unelectable as a Government.
Even now to hear Robertson trying to take issue with the Government leaves a nasty metallic taste... just fake outrage and concern. The real challenge for Robertson and the ALP is much much closer to home.
I don't know if western Sydney will ever forgive them. Not sure I will actually.
But one thing's for sure - The punters certainly won't be buying the same ingredients in a new box.
Peter Redshaw
Retired
Mark the difference here is that where the original Moses went up the mountain to find the 10 commandants. This Moses it seems found a set of mining plans instead. And of course being a religious fellow it seems he thought God's son in the form of Jesus must have left them. After all the original Moses thought it had to be God that left those 10 commandants chiseled out on stone. But in this case I presume the mining plans weren't chiseled out of stone like the 10 commandants, but instead printed on papyrus. It is amazing what you can find if you go up to the mountain top if you are called Moses.
wilma western
logged in via email @bigpond.com
Obeid and co were also in cahoots with some non-labor leading business types weren't they? All disgusting and terribly careless about what they left lying around the place. I'm also sick and tired of hearing G " whatever it takes" Richardson getting stuck into the PM. Part of the corruption saga seems to relate to excessively long periods in office for govts lilke Bjelke -Petersen's and the the parade of compliant Labor NSW premiers.
Their contribution must be remembered if the Coalition wins the federal election. I'm a Windsor fan as well .
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
Aw gee Wilma - can you have life-long Labor stalwart hit-men? Can't really see contract killers have of a moral take on politics myself. I don't think they even have a union any more.
These developers and their gangster mates just pay whoever they must... the higher up the tree the safer and the cheaper over time, given the bang for your bucks. Obeid and others have been a different kettle of fish altogether - gangster politics - right in the Cabinet Room. I suspect there is lot more than a single bent minister at the heart of this.
Steve Hindle
logged in via email @bigpond.com
If only ASIC had been able to find who lit the fire that destroyed the Offset Alpine building. Some investors made a lot of money out of this fire. Good luck or insurance fraud? We will probably never know. Both Eddie Obeid and Graham Richardson were investors.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offset_Alpine_fire
Peter Ormonde
Peter Ormonde is a Friend of The Conversation.
Farmer
Can't really improve on this little snapshot - http://www.afr.com/p/national/nsw_politics_ugliest_years_hWqSgkNBODtPIVpCXFlTIJ
Steve Hindle
logged in via email @bigpond.com
Thanks for the link Peter, but it is a very depressing read.
I wonder what exactly was bought in Beirut for 1 million dollars 19 years ago? How far does all this stuff go?
Stephen John Ralph
carer
Mr Tabor
fair point
let someone ask him
Tony Simons
Accountant
Excellent article. We should keep a close eye on lobbyists such as Michael Photios who is also an executive on the NSW Liberals Council. Clients include Rozelle Village which includes Edward Obeid AO. The Balmain Tigers Club was obviously looted leaving debts of $23.5M. Interesting to see how O'Farrel jumps on this one. State Mp's Roberts and Dominello are supporters of "Save the Tigers". But it should be 'Reclaim the Tigers". Also Fair Trading Minister was exposed hosting $2000 lunches for property tycoons. Lo and behold, consumer protection (already weak) for building and renovations was watered down.