{"id":29354,"date":"2015-07-25T18:55:26","date_gmt":"2015-07-25T08:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=29354"},"modified":"2019-04-13T23:54:28","modified_gmt":"2019-04-13T13:54:28","slug":"choppergate-investigation-fact-check-by-margokingston1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/choppergate-investigation-fact-check-by-margokingston1\/","title":{"rendered":"#choppergate &#8216;investigation&#8217; Fact Check by @margokingston1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_29360\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29360\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/choppergate.jpg?resize=620%2C348\" alt=\"Bronwyn Bishop #ChopperGate meme. Source: Twitter\" width=\"620\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/choppergate.jpg?w=620&amp;ssl=1 620w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/choppergate.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-29360\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bronwyn Bishop #ChopperGate meme. Source: Twitter<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The AFP and the Department of Finance are playing pass-the-parcel on investigating the legality of Bronwyn Bishop&#8217;s helicopter trip to Geelong for a Liberal Party fundraiser. It&#8217;s a complicated game of obfuscation that counts on confusing voters. So here are the facts.<\/p>\n<h4>1.\u00a0Applicability of the Minchin Protocol to the AFP<\/h4>\n<p>When Labor and several members of the public referred the matter to the AFP for investigation it said no, because the Minchin Protocol demanded that Finance had carriage of such matters. Under pressure, the AFP altered its line to insist that it had\u00a0&#8220;not refused to investigate&#8221;,\u00a0had &#8220;sent these complaints to Finance for assessment&#8221; and &#8220;awaits advice from the Department of Finance in accordance with the protocol as to whether any breaches have\u00a0occured before taking any further action&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Both AFP statements are false.The Minchin Protocol is an internal, unlegislated administrative arrangement between Finance and MPs which provides that when suspicions arise, Finance gives the MP concerned the opportunity to admit a mistake and repay the money without further action. It also lays out a complicated, multi-layered process for Finance to refer a claim to the AFP. The Minchin Protocol has no effect at all on the AFP&#8217;s power to investigate complaints of deliberately false declarations by MPs on the validity of their expense claims, as is the case with #choppergate.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Statement from <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFPmedia\">@AFPmedia<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theheraldsun\">@theheraldsun<\/a> tonight. <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/vZz8xEglUk\">pic.twitter.com\/vZz8xEglUk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rob Harris (@rharris334) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rharris334\/status\/621975405579276288\">July 17, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\" data-conversation=\"none\"><p>\n.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rharris334\">@rharris334<\/a> AFP crap! Minchin Protocol applies when Finance asks MP to repay. History: <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/FYqqOKt9Kj\">http:\/\/t.co\/FYqqOKt9Kj<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFPmedia\">@AFPmedia<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/theheraldsun\">@theheraldsun<\/a> \u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/622004102675824640\">July 17, 2015<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">ALP demands AFP investigate <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> &#8211; brilliant letter by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PatConroy1\">@PatConroy1<\/a> exposing sophistry of refusal &#8211; Slipper! <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/AZYVVFkovm\">pic.twitter.com\/AZYVVFkovm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/622242193068036096\">July 18, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\"><p>\nAFP source: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFPmedia\">@afpmedia<\/a> differentiation Slipper &amp; Bishop referrals rubbish. AFPs job to collect evidence! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/m5nAaJxr2S\">pic.twitter.com\/m5nAaJxr2S<\/a> \u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/623812552909193216\">July 22, 2015<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>2. Applicability of the Minchin Protocol to Finance<\/h4>\n<p>When James Ashby referred an allegation of cab-charge fraud by Peter Slipper to the AFP in April 2012, the AFP investigated it without referral to Finance, then, when it found the complaint baseless, investigated another alleged cab-charge fraud in 2010 off its own bat, \u00a0which led to prosecution for less than $1000.<\/p>\n<p>Slipper tried to repay the money several times under the Minchin Protocol but Finance advised that the Minchin Protocol did not apply when an allegation had been referred direct to the AFP.<\/p>\n<p>So why has Finance accepted the AFP referral of #choppergate? We don&#8217;t know because it is refusing to answer any media questions.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\"><p>\nAFP doco from my Slipper FOI &#8211; it dismissed Ashby&#8217;s referral, investigated another claim w\/o referral. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/sRnwb8ripq\">pic.twitter.com\/sRnwb8ripq<\/a> \u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/623811746302529536\">July 22, 2015<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Dear <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFPmedia\">@AFPmedia<\/a> agree Minchin Protocol DOESN&#8217;T APPLY when direct complaint to AFP? <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/b10EmmjMIF\">http:\/\/t.co\/b10EmmjMIF<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/FsnrIDhr97\">pic.twitter.com\/FsnrIDhr97<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/623835163278090240\">July 22, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\"><p>\nI broke Slipper exemption from Minchin Protocol in <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/independentaus\">@independentaus<\/a> &#8211; now snares AFP on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> Funny world <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/36h0jwv2SM\">https:\/\/t.co\/36h0jwv2SM<\/a> \u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/622392467430637568\">July 18, 2015<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>3.\u00a0 The power of Finance to investigate and assess a breach<\/h4>\n<p>Finance has NO POWER to investigate an alleged breach or to determine whether a breach has occurred!<\/p>\n<p>Politicians&#8217; travel arrangements are self-regulated. MPs certify that their claims are within entitlement and Finance pays the bills. If an allegation of entitlement breach is made, usually by the media, Finance makes an inquiry to the MP concerned, who does not even have to answer it. In cases which need investigation to decide whether there is criminality, as in #choppergate (invitation documentation, content of speech etc) Finance has no power to do so!\u00a0The Australian National Audit Office in its report to Speaker Bishop in June 2015, states that &#8220;Finance has no power to determine\u00a0if entitlements have been misused in a\u00a0given circumstance&#8221; and referred to its &#8220;lack of\u00a0investigatory power and resulting inability to weigh conflicting material&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>The AFP reference back to Finance for &#8220;assessment&#8221; and advice on &#8220;whether any breaches had occurred&#8221;\u00a0is, quite simply, a sham, as only\u00a0the AFP has the\u00a0power to\u00a0 investigate #choppergate!<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Abbott &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFPmedia\">@AFPmedia<\/a> scam voters: Finance NO POWER to investigate or determine if <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> a breach. Despicable. <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/vGIXQvdUfr\">pic.twitter.com\/vGIXQvdUfr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/623334748299988992\">July 21, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>4.\u00a0 Finance Dept head Jane Halton<\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_29362\" style=\"width: 230px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29362\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29362\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Jane_Halton.jpg?resize=220%2C319\" alt=\"Jane Halton,  Secretary, Department of Finance\" width=\"220\" height=\"319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Jane_Halton.jpg?w=220&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Jane_Halton.jpg?resize=207%2C300&amp;ssl=1 207w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-29362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jane Halton,<br \/>\n Secretary, Department of Finance<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Jane Halton dismissed #choppergate as a sexist non-event before the\u00a0AFP handballed the\u00a0investigation back to her department. This pre-judgement\u00a0disqualifies Finance from handling the public complaints to the AFP.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\"><p>\nFinance head Halton pre-judged <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/choppergate?src=hash\">#choppergate<\/a> as sexist non-event so ONLY <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFPmedia\">@AFPmedia<\/a> can investigate! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SatPaper\">@SatPaper<\/a> no link. <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/U0MAfioaxq\">pic.twitter.com\/U0MAfioaxq<\/a> \u2014 Margo Kingston (@margokingston1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/margokingston1\/status\/624774040159293440\">July 25, 2015<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So what is going on? A devious\u00a0dance between the AFP and Finance to avoid investigating an allegation of malfeasance voters want investigated. The question: will voters let them get away with it?<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The AFP and the Department of Finance are playing pass-the-parcel on investigating the legality of Bronwyn Bishop&#8217;s helicopter trip to Geelong for a Liberal Party fundraiser. It&#8217;s a complicated game of obfuscation that counts on confusing voters. So here are the facts. 1.\u00a0Applicability of the Minchin Protocol to the AFP When Labor and several members [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":29359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3434,2531,3402,1438,585,26,822],"tags":[2532,96,2533,2534,325,367],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/choppergate.png?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t0mw-7Ds","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29354"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29354"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29354\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}