❓ A parliamentary question regarding allegations of forged signatures on Australian Labor Party membership forms and the Minister's response, highlighting a potential conflict of interest due to her role as party president.
AnsweredQoN 370Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) As Minister for Police or in any other capacity, can the minister confirm that she has received a letter of complaint alleging the forging of signatures on application forms for membership of the Australian Labor Party? (2) If yes, what are the details of the complaint, when was it received and what action has she taken as Minister for Police? The SPEAKER: I am at a loss to see how that question relates to the minister’s portfolio. I am happy to take a point of order on that, but at this stage, although it seems a nice question to ask, I do not think it fits into the ministerial portfolio. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I will explain that matter. Firstly, I believe that it is not a matter that is sub judice. Secondly, the matter of forgery is something on which the minister, in her capacity as Minister for Police, would presumably take action. It might just be that this matter was referred to her specifically in her police portfolio, and not necessarily in another capacity. The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
(2) If yes, what are the details of the complaint, when was it received and what action has she taken as Minister for Police? The SPEAKER: I am at a loss to see how that question relates to the minister’s portfolio. I am happy to take a point of order on that, but at this stage, although it seems a nice question to ask, I do not think it fits into the ministerial portfolio. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I will explain that matter. Firstly, I believe that it is not a matter that is sub judice. Secondly, the matter of forgery is something on which the minister, in her capacity as Minister for Police, would presumably take action. It might just be that this matter was referred to her specifically in her police portfolio, and not necessarily in another capacity. The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
The SPEAKER: I am at a loss to see how that question relates to the minister’s portfolio. I am happy to take a point of order on that, but at this stage, although it seems a nice question to ask, I do not think it fits into the ministerial portfolio. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I will explain that matter. Firstly, I believe that it is not a matter that is sub judice. Secondly, the matter of forgery is something on which the minister, in her capacity as Minister for Police, would presumably take action. It might just be that this matter was referred to her specifically in her police portfolio, and not necessarily in another capacity. The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
(1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
[See paper No 2471.]
(2) If yes, what are the details of the complaint, when was it received and what action has she taken as Minister for Police? The SPEAKER: I am at a loss to see how that question relates to the minister’s portfolio. I am happy to take a point of order on that, but at this stage, although it seems a nice question to ask, I do not think it fits into the ministerial portfolio. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I will explain that matter. Firstly, I believe that it is not a matter that is sub judice. Secondly, the matter of forgery is something on which the minister, in her capacity as Minister for Police, would presumably take action. It might just be that this matter was referred to her specifically in her police portfolio, and not necessarily in another capacity. The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
The SPEAKER: I am at a loss to see how that question relates to the minister’s portfolio. I am happy to take a point of order on that, but at this stage, although it seems a nice question to ask, I do not think it fits into the ministerial portfolio. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I will explain that matter. Firstly, I believe that it is not a matter that is sub judice. Secondly, the matter of forgery is something on which the minister, in her capacity as Minister for Police, would presumably take action. It might just be that this matter was referred to her specifically in her police portfolio, and not necessarily in another capacity. The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
The SPEAKER: The question will be allowed on the basis that it is within the minister’s capacity as Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
(1)-(2) I have received general allegations in my capacity as party president. However, I would like to put a letter on the record as part of this answer. I have forwarded the letter to the Australian Labor Party office, and in it I advise all members of the Labor Party that, if they are aware of any breaches of the criminal law, they should take those allegations to the police. I will not stand by and see any member of the Australian Labor Party not being investigated - Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
Mr C.J. Barnett: Why did you not ask the police to investigate? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: I have no evidence, but various allegations have been put forward. My advice to all party members is that they should come forward if they have any evidence, and provide that evidence to the Commissioner of Police. I have written to all party members and advised them how they can go about it. I will table this letter today, and I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to take the same action as proposed in this letter in relation to his own party. [See paper No 2471.]
[See paper No 2471.]
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