NSW A State of Corruption

Corruption is a constant in Australia, as with most places, and the most populace state of NSW seems to do it better than most. The latest eruption now concerns:

· At least 14 people who worked for a major regional City Council between 2000 and 2007.

· Five state government ministers

· A number of party connected people on the state payroll

· Major developers and construction companies

· Sex and cash

The list of ministers raises some immediate concerns:

• Attorney General John Hatzistergos
• Police Minister David Campbell
• Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi
• Tourism Minister Matt Brown
• Health Minister Reba Meagher

The link with each of them involves either direct campaign funding or involvement with a sleazy Labor party heavy and alleged corruption middleman, Joe Scimone. The real concern is that the states top law identities have been named in this investigation, never mind the fact three other ministers are implicated.

The revelations come out of an inquiry by an international role model on corruption fighting, the NSW Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC). That we require a standing commission is a sad commentary; that this commission periodically hits right at the top is encouraging.

I’m not sure how far I will take this, certainly not into the salacious sex for favours, but you can be assured I will be following up.