So round two of my trying to get more information about the spy who sold us out.
And you guessed it – nothing but stonewalling from the Federal Police as well.
You have to wonder why the AFP have done nothing about this.
And you have to wonder even more as to why the opposition of the day didn’t ask questions about this in estimates.
What are they hiding?
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
05/11/2024
Estimates
ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S PORTFOLIO
Australian Federal Police
Senator RENNICK: I want to refer you to ASIO’s annual threat assessment as presented by the head of ASIO, Mr Mike Burgess, in February this year. Mr Burgess announced that a former Australian MP had betrayed Australia to a foreign intelligence agency. Are you aware of that?
Ms Barrett : I’m aware of the speech that the director-general gave, yes.
Senator RENNICK: You received earlier this year, 5 July 2024, a criminal complaint from a Brisbane barrister, where it was alleged that the MP has breached section 142(2) of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. I have tabled that; I’m not sure if you have a copy there or not.
Ms Barrett : I do not.
Senator RENNICK: Effectively, it says: ‘A public official commits an offence if the official engages in conduct with the intention of obtaining a benefit for himself or herself.’ I’m in touch with the barrister and he says that after four months you’ve failed to progress this complaint and you haven’t got back to the barrister at all. Could you explain why you haven’t done that?
Ms Barrett : Could I please see the correspondence you’re referring to?
Senator RENNICK: Yes.
CHAIR: There’s only one copy, Ms Barrett, but it’s an email with the heading, ‘Reporting war crimes’—I think.
Ms Barrett : Yes, I have the correspondence here in front of me now.
Senator RENNICK: I guess my question to you is, given that it’s a serious issue about treason, regarding an elected politician or a former elected politician that may have been a minister or a lobbyist. Could you please explain why you didn’t respond to the barrister about his concerns?
Ms Barrett : Yes. I’m sorry, I’m going to have to take this one on notice. I’m sorry.
Senator RENNICK: Okay. Can I get a commitment from you that you are going to address this issue and take it seriously, because many Australians are concerned about the fact that we’ve got a politician who hasn’t been prosecuted for trying to sell his country out.
Ms Barrett : I will take it on notice, and I will—
Senator RENNICK: And could you explain why this issue hasn’t been addressed with more urgency prior to now, given that there was quite a bit of correspondence coming from the barrister towards the AFP and ASIO? Why hasn’t it been acted upon given the serious nature of the alleged crime?
Ms Barrett : I will take that on notice.
Senator RENNICK: You’re going to take it all on notice?
Ms Barrett : Yes. I’m sorry, I’m not in a position to answer your questions this evening on this one.
Senator RENNICK: So are you going to take the issue seriously and get back to me—and the barrister?
Ms Barrett : Senator, we take issues of this nature very seriously—absolutely. I’m just not in a position to speak tonight to where we’re at or what we’ve done to address this. That is what I will take on notice.
Senator RENNICK: Are you aware that the inspector-general has also sat on a complaint about the lack of speed in addressing this issue?
Ms Barrett : I am not aware of that.
Senator RENNICK: You’re not aware of that either?
Ms Barrett : No.
Senator RENNICK: Okay. Well, it’s pretty hard to get to the bottom of these things when you’re stonewalled, but anyway—thanks, Chair.
