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Stuart Robert's China trip with Liberal donor to be investigated by police Stuart Robert's China trip with Liberal donor to be investigated by police
(6 months later)
Australian federal police are investigating whether former government minister Stuart Robert committed a crime when he travelled to China on a “private trip” to help a Liberal donor.Australian federal police are investigating whether former government minister Stuart Robert committed a crime when he travelled to China on a “private trip” to help a Liberal donor.
The AFP confirmed it received a referral from Labor’s shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, and said it was inappropriate to comment while the investigation took place.The AFP confirmed it received a referral from Labor’s shadow attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, and said it was inappropriate to comment while the investigation took place.
The investigation relates to a trip by Robert to China in 2014, with Liberal donor Paul Marks, when he was assistant defence minister.The investigation relates to a trip by Robert to China in 2014, with Liberal donor Paul Marks, when he was assistant defence minister.
Marks signed a deal between his company, Nimrod, and Chinese government-owned Minmetals at a ceremony attended by Robert. The former minister later reportedly led a delegation of business people to meet Chinese officials.Marks signed a deal between his company, Nimrod, and Chinese government-owned Minmetals at a ceremony attended by Robert. The former minister later reportedly led a delegation of business people to meet Chinese officials.
Related: Labor pursues Turnbull over news MP Stuart Robert met with Chinese minister
Robert – who was later appointed human services minister – asked not to be considered for a ministerial reshuffle in February this year after a report by the head of the prime minister’s office, Martin Parkinson. It found the minister for human services had “acted inconsistently” with the statement of ministerial standards.Robert – who was later appointed human services minister – asked not to be considered for a ministerial reshuffle in February this year after a report by the head of the prime minister’s office, Martin Parkinson. It found the minister for human services had “acted inconsistently” with the statement of ministerial standards.
During Parkinson’s investigation, Robert disclosed a shareholding in Metallum Holdings, which had an interest in Nimrod Resources.During Parkinson’s investigation, Robert disclosed a shareholding in Metallum Holdings, which had an interest in Nimrod Resources.
In his letter to police, Dreyfus noted that section 142.2 of the criminal code, relating to “abuse of public office”, “makes it an offence for a minister to exercise any influence or engage in any conduct in the course of his or her duties with the intention to dishonestly obtain a benefit for himself or herself or another person”.In his letter to police, Dreyfus noted that section 142.2 of the criminal code, relating to “abuse of public office”, “makes it an offence for a minister to exercise any influence or engage in any conduct in the course of his or her duties with the intention to dishonestly obtain a benefit for himself or herself or another person”.
“This offence applies even where a person merely ‘holds himself or herself out’ as acting as a minister,” the letter stated.“This offence applies even where a person merely ‘holds himself or herself out’ as acting as a minister,” the letter stated.
Dreyfus said as Parkinson’s report was not released, it was unclear whether any other offences applied.Dreyfus said as Parkinson’s report was not released, it was unclear whether any other offences applied.
“It is clear that Mr Robert sought to benefit Mr Marks, a significant Liberal donor, but the revelation that Mr Robert himself stood to gain financially through his shareholdings in a company related to Nimrod is even more serious,” Dreyfus wrote to the AFP.“It is clear that Mr Robert sought to benefit Mr Marks, a significant Liberal donor, but the revelation that Mr Robert himself stood to gain financially through his shareholdings in a company related to Nimrod is even more serious,” Dreyfus wrote to the AFP.
“The prime minister has been careful to say only that this created an ‘impression’ that Mr Robert stood to gain personally from his trip. Whether he intended to do so now merits a proper police investigation.”“The prime minister has been careful to say only that this created an ‘impression’ that Mr Robert stood to gain personally from his trip. Whether he intended to do so now merits a proper police investigation.”
Robert’s office withheld comment.Robert’s office withheld comment.