CATHERINE KING & TIM AYRES – MEDIA RELEASE – PM CAN’T HIDE FROM HIS $4.8 BILLION SCANDAL – THURSDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2021

A Senate Committee report released today has given the Prime Minister 15 days to account for his involvement in the administration of the Commuter Car Park Fund.

Two witnesses told the committee that in their view aspects of the commuter car park fund amounted to corruption. We know that these processes were not limited to the $660 million Commuter Car Park Fund, but were instead spread across the entire $4.8 billion Urban Congestion Fund.

The committee heard that both the Prime Minister’s Office and former Minister Tudge’s office were central in co-ordinating an exclusive canvassing of Coalition MPs and candidates in key marginal seats ahead of the 2019 Federal Election, that the Prime Minister was aware of the canvassing process and that either he or his office approved all the car park projects.

The committee has recommended that the Prime Minister provide a full explanation of the role that he, his office, the then Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, and any other Ministerial Offices and staff played in the allocation of funding under the shambolic Commuter Car Park Fund.

With $890 million unallocated in the Urban Congestion Fund ahead of the 2022 election, the committee has made a number of urgent recommendations to ensure that there can be public confidence in the allocation of those remaining funds.

Further recommendations would expand accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer money, including the urgent establishment of a National Anti-corruption Commission.

If the Prime Minister wants to keep running from scrutiny that’s up to him, but he can’t hide from the fact that he is up to his neck in this $4.8 billion scandal.

THURSDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2021