During the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison eras (2013-2022) the LNP was rocked by scandals involving misuse of funds, ethical breaches, governance failures and personal misconduct. While some incidents led to resignations or inquiries, others saw limited accountability.
I’ve picked out a number of them that might be worth remembering as we stand in line to cast our vote in May (or earlier):
Sports Rorts
The Community Sport Infrastructure Program, a $100 million fund, was allegedly manipulated by then-Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie to favour marginal and targeted Coalition electorates ahead of the 2019 election. An audit revealed that 43% of grants went to ineligible projects, with 66% of funds directed to Coalition-held seats, despite higher-ranking applications being overlooked.
McKenzie resigned in February 2020 after additional scrutiny over her membership in a gun club that received funding. The scandal raised questions about political interference in supposedly independent processes.
Robodebt Scheme
The automated debt recovery program wrongly pursued welfare and income-support recipients for nonexistent debts, leading to significant distress and, in many cases, sadly, suicides. The scheme, initiated under Scott Morrison’s tenure as Social Services Minister, was later deemed unlawful.
A 2023 Royal Commission criticised senior Coalition figures, including Morrison, Alan Tudge, and Stuart Robert for oversight failures. Legal settlements cost taxpayers hundreds of millions, and the scandal damaged the LNP’s reputation on social welfare policy.
JobKeeper Overpayments
The $89 billion JobKeeper program, rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic under Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, saw approximately $40 billion paid to businesses that didn’t need it, including some very profitable companies. Seems about right for a government lacking oversight and favouring corporate interests.
No clawback mechanism was enforced. This did nothing but fuel perceptions of fiscal irresponsibility and cronyism. The LNP have history in both.
Sussan Ley Expenses Scandal
Sussan Ley, then-Health Minister, was bailed up for using taxpayer-funded trips to the Gold Coast, where she purchased a $795,000 apartment. Additional allegations emerged of a questionable property deal involving a Liberal donor who received a $110,000 grant, selling her a property below its prior value.
This incident highlighted misuse of public funds. Ley resigned from the frontbench in January 2017 but returned later.
Brittany Higgins Alleged Rape Cover-Up
Note: I’m referring only to the cover-up.
Brittany Higgins, a Liberal staffer, alleged she was raped in Parliament House in 2019. Subsequent claims suggested senior Coalition figures, including Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash, mishandled or suppressed the incident to protect the government’s image ahead of the 2019 election.
The scandal sparked the 2021 March 4 Justice rallies, damaged trust in the Coalition’s handling of women’s safety, and led to an inquiry into parliamentary workplace culture.
Water Buyback Controversy
Barnaby Joyce, as Water Minister, approved an $80 million water buyback from Eastern Australia Agriculture, a company linked to Energy Minister Angus Taylor via past business ties. The deal, conducted without a tender, was seen as overpriced and benefiting political allies.
Investigations found no illegality but highlighted transparency issues in Coalition resource management.
Helloworld Travel Scandal
The government awarded Helloworld, a company linked to Liberal Party treasurer Andrew Burnes, a monopoly on federal travel contracts worth over $3 billion. Joe Hockey, as ambassador to the U.S., allegedly facilitated business for the firm, in which he held shares.
The lack of a competitive tender process smelled of favouritism.
Scott Morrison’s Secret Ministries
The former PM secretly appointed himself to five additional ministries (including Health and Finance) during the COVID-19 crisis, unbeknownst to colleagues or the public. This was revealed after the 2022 election loss.
An inquiry labeled it a breach of democratic norms. Morrison did a great job in eroding trust in the Coalition. Well done, Scott.
What have I missed?
Dishonourable mentions:
- Pork-Barrelling: Recurring allegations of rorts (e.g., car park rorts) strikes me as a pattern of using public funds for electoral advantage.
- Ethical Lapses: Personal scandals, such as Barnaby Joyce’s affair and Vikki Campion job controversy, compounded perceptions of unprofessionalism.
- Transparency: Refusals to release documents (e.g., COVID-19 committee minutes, trade agreements) fueled distrust.
I’ve no doubt missed a lot more. Help me out here.
References
Sport Australia warned Bridget McKenzie’s grants program compromised its independence, Paul Karp, The Guardian
Sport Australia complained about political interference in the Government’s sports grants program, Andrew Probyn, ABC News
Royal Commission into the Robodebt scheme
Robodebt victims seek further compensation due to ‘damning new evidence’, Paul Karp, The Guardian
The robodebt scheme was passed like a hot potato up the line of Coalition ministers – but who will be held responsible?, Paul Karp, The Guardian
NACC’s decision puts responsibility for Robodebt response back on government, The Australia Institute
ATO will not recover $180 million in JobKeeper from businesses that made ‘honest mistakes’ when applying, Nassim Khadem and Gareth Hutchens, ABC News
Centrelink orders jobkeeper recipients to pay back $32m, while profitable businesses allowed to keep funds, Luke Henriques-Gomes, The Guardian
ATO chasing fraudulent or ineligible claims for JobKeeper, super withdrawal and small business cashflow boost, Nassim Khadem, ABC News
Sussan Ley scouted Gold Coast property on taxpayer funded trip, James Gorman, 9News
Ley hits taxpayers $13K to pilot flights, news.com.au
Parliament rape claim was true, judge rules in case that gripped Australia, Tory Shepherd, The Guardian
The big questions left unanswered about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins at Parliament House, James Glenday et al, ABC News
Barnaby Joyce approved plan to chase $80m water buyback, documents show, Anne Davies, The Guardian
‘Hockey owes me’: Liberal mate ‘helped set up’ Helloworld meeting with ambassador to US, Tom Lowrey, ABC New
Mathias Cormann booked holiday flights directly with Helloworld chief executive, Katharine Murphy, The Guardian
Australia’s Morrison says he secretly took five ministries because responsibility was his, Kirsty Needham, Reuters
Revelations of secret portfolios held by Scott Morrison have dominated headlines this week. What happened, when and who knew about it?, Kate Ainsworth, ABC News
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We survived the death threatening political bowellery and ploppery of the rotten Abbott to Morrison run, where selfite fanatics, and mad maggoty misfits had an open go to show us their filth. Since 1901, we have had nothing as consistently bad, for evil intent was always there to do greedy deals for mates, donors, similar types. And it has not been cleaned up satisfactorily yet, and perhaps never will. The leaders were droppings but the supporting cast, those McKenzie, Tudge, Robert, Taylor, Dutton types remain to curse civilised and decent behaviour. Simple fools like LLEEYY hardly count here. What about the cursed shadow still, of Pezzullo and Dutton the Dreadful Dill, still there in threat? Can the weight of voting opinion do better? NO?
With regard to Robodebt you might refer to the closed section recommending action against several people but ICAC’s flawed processes leading to a decision not to pursue it.
Otherwise a good comprehensive reminder of why Dutton’s mob should not be allowed anywhere near the treasury benches.
Barnaby Joyce drought envoy – $675,000
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation Grant – $443,000,000
Stuart Robert and the Synergy 360 corrupt conduct scandal
Former LNP AG Christian Porter alleged rape allegations and the anonymous donations via a blind trust.
Rapists, rorters and carpetbaggers…
RomeoCharlie
In December the government announced :
13 Dec 2024
“The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has appointed Mr Geoffrey Nettle AC KC to independently reconsider its decision relating to the referrals made to the NACC by the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.
Mr Nettle will independently assess the referrals and decide whether, and if so how, the Commission should deal with any corruption issues arising from the referrals.”
NB: ICAC is a NSW anti corruption body whereas NACC is ‘national’ as the name implies and Nettle will consider prosecutions following the Royal Commission.
Don’t forget the contract awarded to Paladin to run Manus Island’s immigration detention by the Home Affairs Department without a real tender in 2017.
https://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2024/10/13/protecting-peter-dutton-naccs-532-million-paladin-fraud-investigation-was-completed-when-scott-morrison-was-pm/
Canstruct
But, we can vote for them with the self-proclaimed assurance that the LNP governments are far better managers of government finances….. oh dear, i just read the article and the comments adding to the list disproving that claim.
Now, how much LNP debt has been repaid in the ladt 3 years?
What corrupt practices have emerged, uncovered by the ever critical media?
A lot in answer to the first question
Not much in answer to the second.
Gee wizz, I wonder who to trust with my vote.
Firstly, it is a given that the Lib/Nat coalition party do not govern in the best interests of our nation’s people.
Therefore, this political party should have all its authorities cancelled, then to scatter all its previous L/NP members, ministers, along with their cohorts and including the verminous miscreants who aligned themselves to grab their fistful of the L/NP plunder, then scatter the bastards to the four winds of fate.
Our nation, quite simply, cannot afford to host that corrupting L/NP mob of crooks, hucksters and stinkers, in any time’s future.
The new opposition party could form up from the collective of Teals and independents.
Each and all the L/NP Federal government authoritative agencies and departments had lost interest in their role, or was it their duty, during the former but discredited L/NP era of our nation’s leadership, but was found to be… Our wholly inadequate leaderless Federal government.
(During the abovementioned period of L/NP governance, our national debt had risen skyward in the amount of half a Trillion dollars.)
Angus Taylor???