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AFP responds to leaked internal memo on resourcing – politics live AFP responds to leaked internal memo on resourcing – politics live
(35 minutes later)
8.38am BST
08:38
I’m transcribing as quick as I can, but Brendan O’Connor was speaking exceptionally fast, so it is a little heavy going.
Here is a bit more.
I am afraid to say, as a result of today, it is clear now that the government is using the power of the state and using taxpayers dollars to attack its political opponents. Nothing has changed since the conduct of the royal commission, this is just a continuation of the same approach by this grubby prime minister, this loser of a prime minster, who when he can not control his own government, when he can not develop any policies he calls the police.’
He goes on.
Let’s look at the history of this government, the royal commission called three Labor leaders, it has never happened in our history, since federation, two prime ministers and a Labor leader called to two royal commissions. And now, we have a situation where we have a registered organisation commission established–what is their first public act? To raid the union offices of the AWU in an attempt to attack them. In an attempt to smear federal Labor and its leader. Now, indeed the prime minister does have questions to answer. He needs to explain what he knew about these raids, what he knew about the role of the commission and indeed the minister, who of course who is responsible for oversight of this commission, the minister for employment must explain exactly the role she had in these raids, because it is quite clear now that if this was a one off I would understand that there might be some skepticism, but it is clear now that there is never an end to the political abuse of Commonwealth agencies by this government. When Malcolm Turnbull is in trouble, he calls the police.”
8.25am BST
08:25
Brendan O’Connor:
What we know is, that the Registered Organisations Commission, a body that was established after the double dissolution has been used by the government, by minister Cash and by the prime minister in an attempt to attack federal Labor and the leader of the opposition. What we know is clearly, as a result of the referral by the minister to the registered organisations commission they have sought to use their coercive powers to deploy police to raid offices to deal with what could be a civil matter at best. Now, let’s look at the pattern of behaviour of this government since it was elected in 2013. They established the royal commission into their political opponents, they summoned three Labor leaders including Bill Shorten to those royal commissions, they had, in sofar as the last royal commission was concerned, they had Bill Shorten in the stand for two days, asking him 900 questions and there were no findings against the federal leader Bill Shorten, and yet this continues. It continues because Malcolm Turnbull when he is under pressure, calls the police. Malcolm Turnbull called the police i relation to senate staff at the beginning of the last federal election, Malcolm Turnbull threatened to call police n the night of the election because he wasn’t happy with the result. Malcolm Turnbull has clearly misused the police.
Now today, we of course discovered through senate estimates that there are resource issues with the Australian Federal Police, there are areas that are under resourced to the extent that very serious drug importation crimes are occurring without sufficient resources deployed by the AFP. At the same time that that was uncovered, we have a situation where the government is treating the police as its play thing, using the police to investigate a civil matter, an allegation that was made 10 years ago, about whether in fact money was authorised and provided to a third party. Now it is clear, from anyone watching, any reasonable person, any independent person would be well aware that this is the intervention by the prime minister, an abuse of ministerial power, the abuse of police resources at a time when police should be dealing with far more serious matters. Malcolm Turnbull now must explain what office his office and he played what role his minister and her office played in engaging with the registered organisation commission, a body by the way that federal Labor said we will not support, because it could be used to attack the political opponents of the government. And what has happened? It’s first public foray we see the registered organisation commission was used in a matter in an attempt to attack the federal leader, the federal Labor leader Bill Shorten. Well, we said it was going to be used for base political purposes, it clearly is now being compromised, as a result of the conduct today. As I say, there is a patten of behaviour, a royal commission, a discredited royal commission, we found out the commissioner was raising money for the Liberal party, even so, that royal commission did not find against Bill Shorten after two days of questioning and yet the government is relentless in misusing its powers and misusing the resources of the federal police.
8.15am BST
08:15
“I think it is extremely politically motivated ... our union has been operating for 130 years ... but they are purely looking at Bill Shorten’s time,” Walton says.
Updated
at 8.20am BST
8.13am BST
08:13
“Why is the AFP here today, to raid the union offices in search of a couple of pages of historic minutes from 10 years ago,” ask the national secretary, Daniel Walton.
Updated
at 8.16am BST
8.12am BST
08:12
The union says it received notification on Friday that an investigation had been opened but had no warning of this step, calling it “extraordinary”.
Updated
at 8.15am BST
8.11am BST
08:11
The union boss Sally McManus describes the raids as “an attack on democracy” and “a sad day for democracy”.
Updated
at 8.15am BST
8.04am BST8.04am BST
08:0408:04
“None of these allegations, even if they are true, warrant this conduct,” O’Connor says and ends the press conference.“None of these allegations, even if they are true, warrant this conduct,” O’Connor says and ends the press conference.
8.04am BST8.04am BST
08:0408:04
O’Connor says “this grubby prime minister is willing to use the police like his play thing” and calls the raids, by a civil regulator, over a matter from 10 years ago “remarkable”.O’Connor says “this grubby prime minister is willing to use the police like his play thing” and calls the raids, by a civil regulator, over a matter from 10 years ago “remarkable”.
8.03am BST8.03am BST
08:0308:03
O’Connor:O’Connor:
“This is a civil regulator and yet we have crime fighters raiding offices because of the role of civil regulator...the priority of this government is about deploying police for civil matters...against their political opponents.” This is a civil regulator and yet we have crime fighters raiding offices because of the role of civil regulator … the priority of this government is about deploying police for civil matters … against their political opponents.
He says the government treats the federal police as its ‘play thing’. He says the government treats the federal police as its “play thing”.
Updated
at 8.11am BST
8.01am BST8.01am BST
08:0108:01
O’Connor:O’Connor:
“I saw the raids happening on television, the first I saw of it, was when it was public...I did not know of these raids until they were happening and i dare say the federal leader did not know. I saw the raids happening on television, the first I saw of it, was when it was public ... I did not know of these raids until they were happening and I dare say the federal leader did not know.
“Of course the media knew, because all the cameras were waiting outside two premises....and indeed the government knew. Of course the media knew, because all the cameras were waiting outside two premises … and indeed the government knew.
Updated
at 8.11am BST
8.00am BST8.00am BST
08:0008:00
O’Connor: “He beggars belief that this is not a political raid, it beggars belief,” he says of the commissions first public act. “He beggars belief that this is not a political raid, it beggars belief,” O’Connor says of the commission’s first public act.
He says the prime minister needs to explain what he knew of the raids, what his role was and what Michaelia Cash’s role was.He says the prime minister needs to explain what he knew of the raids, what his role was and what Michaelia Cash’s role was.
“It is clear now that there is never an end to the political abuse of Commonwealth agencies by this government.” “It is clear now that there is never an end to the political abuse of commonwealth agencies by this government.”
Updated
at 8.12am BST
7.58am BST7.58am BST
07:5807:58
He says the raids validate Labor’s decision not to support the Registered Organisations Commission, because it believed it would be used against the government’s opponents. He says the raids validate Labor’s decision not to support the Registered Organisations Commission because it believed it would be used against the government’s opponents.
He said Labor did not support the ROC “because it will be used for political purposes, base political purposes.” He said Labor did not support the ROC “because it will be used for political purposes, base political purposes”.
He accused the government of using “tax payer dollars to its attack its political opponents” and hits out at this “loser prime minister”. He accused the government of using “taxpayer dollars to its attack its political opponents” and hits out at this “loser prime minister”.
Updated
at 8.12am BST
7.55am BST7.55am BST
07:5507:55
Labor responds to AWU raidsLabor responds to AWU raids
Brendan O’Connor has gone live in a press conference slamming the raids on the AWU offices.Brendan O’Connor has gone live in a press conference slamming the raids on the AWU offices.
He is not mincing his words:He is not mincing his words:
“Malcolm Turnbull, when he is under pressure, calls the police ... Malcolm Turnbull clearly has misused the police.”“Malcolm Turnbull, when he is under pressure, calls the police ... Malcolm Turnbull clearly has misused the police.”
He says it is a “civil matter at best” and calls it “an abuse of ministerial power, an abuse of police resources”.He says it is a “civil matter at best” and calls it “an abuse of ministerial power, an abuse of police resources”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.00am BSTat 8.00am BST
7.46am BST
07:46
The AWU’s Victorian secretary, Ben Davis, has spoken to media outside the union’s Melbourne office.
“This is a shameful abuse of process” - Ben Davis - @AWUnion - Melbourne. @AusFedPolice conducting raids on Sydney and Melb AWU offices. pic.twitter.com/O59U6IYhhv
Updated
at 7.49am BST
7.41am BST
07:41
While we’re talking about the AFP and its protection of the prime minister’s Point Piper home, I’ve been reminded of this joke Malcolm Turnbull made on the Today show on 18 October.
I’ve got a big power bill but not least because I’ve got a small police station in my garden, as you know.
Updated
at 7.50am BST
7.39am BST
07:39
The AFP have just posted a statement in response to the ABC story on the leaked internal memo which dominated question time (and some of the ABC estimates hearing).
Tuesday, 24 October 2017, Publish time: 5:31pm
The AFP is disappointed an internal working document, which sought to provide confidential operational advice and revealed operational sensitivities, has been made public as this undermines the AFP’s ability to ensure its resources are used efficiently, effectively and appropriately. This is now subject to a Professional Standards investigation.
Over the past 12 months, the AFP and its partners have made record drug seizures, dismantled significant and multi-national organised crime syndicates, and disrupted a number of plots with people allegedly planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Australia.
The AFP makes decisions daily on operational priorities, resourcing and determining which matters pose the greatest risk to the safety and security to the Australian community, and directing its resources where they are most needed. The AFP has systems in place to manage its resources as flexibly as possible against the highest priorities.
The AFP has a broad range of Protection obligations in Sydney (including the AFP’s own people and premises). Protecting Prime Ministers and Australian high office holders has always been part of the AFP’s operational remit. The provisions in place for Prime Minister Turnbull are entirely consistent with both the current enhanced security environment and protection measures in place for previous Prime Ministers.
The challenges for law enforcement have evolved significantly over the past decade. This calls for the use of innovative operational practices and techniques, including offshore disruption when the AFP feels that this is the most appropriate way to manage a criminal investigation. Technological advances and increasingly complex criminal methodologies require the use of more specialist capabilities.
In this year’s Budget, the Government invested an additional $321.4 million to bolster the AFP’s capability, and ensure the agency is best-placed to combat its future challenges.
*end statement*
Updated
at 7.43am BST
7.38am BST
07:38
And some more:
Statement from @SenatorAbetz on AFP raids #auspol pic.twitter.com/hsTL635SVL
7.31am BST
07:31
Labor’s employment spokesman, Brendan O’Connor, has released a statement of his own on the AWU offices’ raids.
On the same day Parliament was told that Turnbull’s cuts to the AFP have meant serious crimes like drug smuggling could not be properly investigated, we see these extraordinary raids. Turnbull and his Government openly directed the Commission to start this witch hunt.
He is entirely responsible for this turn of events – it’s an alarming misuse of ministerial power.
The Liberals have already wasted millions of taxpayers’ dollars on their witch hunt into unions.
They will stop at nothing to attack workers and their representatives.
This is the NBN raids during the election campaign all over again.
Australians will see this for the desperate tactic that it is.
*end statement*
Updated
at 7.34am BST
7.29am BST
07:29
Statement from AWU National Secretary re AFP raids pic.twitter.com/v59uPUiljS
7.23am BST
07:23
Sky News has been showing images of the AFP raid on the AWU offices. Looks like it is going to go on for a while.
We believe Bill Shorten’s lawyer just walked into the AWU offices currently being raided by AFP
(Just an update on this–Sky are not the only media outlet there, but they are showing live pictures. The raid has been going on for a while and as far as I can see the ABC broke it. Then media outlets headed to the AWU Sydney and Melbourne offices)
Updated
at 7.35am BST
7.18am BST
07:18
Over in the legal affairs estimates hearing and George Brandis and Penny Wong have been discussing the appointments of former Coalition MPs to things like the administrative appeals tribunal.
It has been jokingly referred to by some wags as the “no Liberal left behind” policy.
Wong pointed out that six of the 23 full-time members of the AAT have strong links back to the Liberal party, or 26%.
Brandis says that he does not “consider service in parliament as a disqualification”.
A rough transcript of some of the afternoon’s hearing follows:
Wong: It is the case that the 76 appointments you made on the eve of the election last year, none were made through committee process?
Brandis: Most of those appointments were reappointments.
[Secretary of AG department] Chris Moraitis: I cannot recall any committee process being used in those appointments, or recently.
Wong: How many of all the appointments you made were advertised, or recommended by selection committee?
Brandis: [Takes on notice]
Wong: Do you recall a selection committee being established at all by this government in any appointments?
Moraitis: No.
Wong: How many of the appointments that the government has made to the AAT since protocol put in place have been recommended for appointment without any process whatsoever?
Brandis: There’s always been a process …
Wong: What is it?
Brandis: [Neither] Justice Kerr nor [David] Thomas [president of the AAT] have ever raised a complaint with me that they were dissatisfied about how complaints were being handled.
Wong: You announced appointments at end of September. Did the president supply you with a list of positions that needed to be filled? If so when?
Brandis: I have had a very full process with the president about appointments.
Wong: How many were reappointments recommended? How many were publicly advertised ...
Brandis: [Takes on notice]
Wong: Did you advertise any of them? You don’t remember?
Brandis: I want to check. [Takes further questions about full-time v part-time appointments on notice]
Wong: You’re responsible for about 95% of appointments to the AAT?
Brandis: Sounds about right.
Updated
at 7.24am BST
6.56am BST
06:56
I am going to take an educated guess that the AFP raid has something to do with the allegations in this story, published by the Australian yesterday
Brad Norington reported:
Bill Shorten faces investigation over a large sum of union funds he donated to his own election campaign in 2007 – possibly without proper approval – when he led the Australian Workers Union and first ran for parliament.
The Registered Organisations Commission is understood to be inquiring into a $25,000 union payment that Mr Shorten arranged to help his campaign as Labor’s candidate in the federal Victorian seat of Maribyrnong.
Also under scrutiny are two other AWU donations to Labor candidates in federal seats that were handled by Mr Shorten when he was in charge of the union — $25,000 for Petrie in Queensland and $20,000 for Stirling in Western Australia.
The commission’s investigation of these AWU donations during the 2008 financial year is in addition to another it started on Friday into Mr Shorten’s union handout to GetUp! in 2006 when he sat on the activist group’s board as well as leading the AWU.
Updated
at 7.06am BST
6.46am BST
06:46
The AFP is currently raiding The Australian Workers’ Union offices in Melbourne and Sydney, via @StephieBorys @abcnews