Post by Banker on Apr 8, 2013 4:47:26 GMT 7
Some more Fraud from C/L staff....YES OR NO?
Fraud unit to probe Torbay's link with Centrelink leases.
Kate McClymont
Allegations linking former state MP Richard Torbay to Centrelink leases worth millions of dollars have been referred to the department's serious fraud and non-compliance unit for investigation.
Mr Torbay has not been seen in public in the three weeks since his surprise resignation from Parliament and as chancellor of the University of New England after allegations concerning him were referred to the Independent Commission against Corruption.
A Herald investigation has uncovered links between Mr Torbay and his associates and a number of Centrelink leases across the country totalling almost $48 million.
Mr Torbay has investments in three buildings that have the agency responsible for social security payments as the tenant. Those Centrelink leases are worth more than $11 million.
Mr Torbay's business partner, prominent Armidale developer Nick Rice, and the relatives of Phillip Hanna, Mr Torbay's close friend and former campaign manager, between them own a raft of buildings across the country which they have leased to Centrelink. They include Gosford, Kurri Kurri, Deniliquin, Moree, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Wallsend, Armidale, as well as in the Queensland towns of Hervey Bay, Dalby, Maryborough, Wynnum and Woodridge, and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
A former employee said Mr Hanna had a contact in Centrelink who provided information to him about ''what leases and sites were coming up.'' A spokeswoman for Human Services Minister Senator Jan McLucas said: ''The secretary of the department has asked the serious fraud and non-compliance unit to undertake an investigation.''
This was welcomed by opposition human services spokesman Kevin Andrews, who said: ''Ensuring the integrity and transparency of [Department of Human Services] operations is of key importance in maintaining the trust of the taxpayers who fund them.''
Some of the Centrelink leases are held through property trusts set up by Mr Hanna, Labor kingpin Eddie Obeid's cousin by marriage. Mr Hanna's relatives took over the directorship of most of his property development companies after his 2007 arrest for the attempted murder of his business partner.
Complaints were made to the Police Integrity Commission about the actions of the then local area police commander David Cushway over the Hanna investigation.
Within hours of Mr Hanna's arrest, Mr Cushway arranged for himself and Mr Torbay - then speaker of the Legislative Assembly - to have a clandestine meeting with Mr Hanna in the police cells.
Mr Cushway ordered a junior officer not to record the visit in the custody book.
Mr Hanna pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a good behaviour bond.
Mr Cushway is now Mr Torbay's and Mr Rice's business partner in several buildings leased to Centrelink. He was appointed chief operating officer at the University of New England earlier this year.
www.theage.com.au/national/fraud-unit-to-probe-torbays-link-with-centrelink-leases-20130407-2hezq.html?skin=text-only
Fraud unit to probe Torbay's link with Centrelink leases.
Kate McClymont
Allegations linking former state MP Richard Torbay to Centrelink leases worth millions of dollars have been referred to the department's serious fraud and non-compliance unit for investigation.
Mr Torbay has not been seen in public in the three weeks since his surprise resignation from Parliament and as chancellor of the University of New England after allegations concerning him were referred to the Independent Commission against Corruption.
A Herald investigation has uncovered links between Mr Torbay and his associates and a number of Centrelink leases across the country totalling almost $48 million.
Mr Torbay has investments in three buildings that have the agency responsible for social security payments as the tenant. Those Centrelink leases are worth more than $11 million.
Mr Torbay's business partner, prominent Armidale developer Nick Rice, and the relatives of Phillip Hanna, Mr Torbay's close friend and former campaign manager, between them own a raft of buildings across the country which they have leased to Centrelink. They include Gosford, Kurri Kurri, Deniliquin, Moree, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Wallsend, Armidale, as well as in the Queensland towns of Hervey Bay, Dalby, Maryborough, Wynnum and Woodridge, and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
A former employee said Mr Hanna had a contact in Centrelink who provided information to him about ''what leases and sites were coming up.'' A spokeswoman for Human Services Minister Senator Jan McLucas said: ''The secretary of the department has asked the serious fraud and non-compliance unit to undertake an investigation.''
This was welcomed by opposition human services spokesman Kevin Andrews, who said: ''Ensuring the integrity and transparency of [Department of Human Services] operations is of key importance in maintaining the trust of the taxpayers who fund them.''
Some of the Centrelink leases are held through property trusts set up by Mr Hanna, Labor kingpin Eddie Obeid's cousin by marriage. Mr Hanna's relatives took over the directorship of most of his property development companies after his 2007 arrest for the attempted murder of his business partner.
Complaints were made to the Police Integrity Commission about the actions of the then local area police commander David Cushway over the Hanna investigation.
Within hours of Mr Hanna's arrest, Mr Cushway arranged for himself and Mr Torbay - then speaker of the Legislative Assembly - to have a clandestine meeting with Mr Hanna in the police cells.
Mr Cushway ordered a junior officer not to record the visit in the custody book.
Mr Hanna pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a good behaviour bond.
Mr Cushway is now Mr Torbay's and Mr Rice's business partner in several buildings leased to Centrelink. He was appointed chief operating officer at the University of New England earlier this year.
www.theage.com.au/national/fraud-unit-to-probe-torbays-link-with-centrelink-leases-20130407-2hezq.html?skin=text-only