I will today write to the Police Commissioner asking for Tasmania Police to investigate serious allegations raised in The Australian* alleging a plan to bribe a Labor Minister in 2012.
The alleged plot is reported as revolving around a union plan to bribe then Labor Minister, David O’Byrne to appoint Nicole Wells to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.
The article in The Australian refers to the Federal Court being told in 2015 by former Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) official Rodney Burles, that Kevin Harkins (Ms Wells’ partner) told another CEPU official that the TIC job for Ms Wells was a “stitch up” with David O’Byrne to “be secured with a bit of lolly”.
These allegations are deeply disturbing and as bribing a Minister of the Crown would constitute a criminal offence, I believe it is important that Tasmania Police investigate to test if these claims are true or not.
Tasmanians must have confidence in the integrity of their elected members.
With Mr O’Byrne putting his hand up for Labor at the next election these allegations should be fully investigated prior to Tasmanians going to the polls.
*The Australian (9/9/17)