Contributed by Joe Montero
Malcolm Turnbull’s latest scandal, exposing connection to a $12 million share in a scam run by an outfit called the United States Studies Centre, shouldn’t be a shock to anyone.
The cash went into the hands of his wife and son in law James Brown. More important still is that the Murdoch family, through Rupert’s nephew, Matt Handbury, were also involved in the action.
This is yet one more piece of the jigsaw that illustrates the close relationship between the media tycoon and the Turnbull government.
The United States Centre is a foreign policy think tank, owned by the Turnbull and Murdoch families. It is based at Sydney University, and operates with the American Australian Association, and aims to extend influence across Australian universities.
We would have been none the wiser, were it not for an article published by the Financial Review (23 July 2018), which has brought the affair into public view.
Generosity of this sort is carefully kept away from public view. There is no transparency and the usual tendering processes are bypassed.
It’s not the first time this has happened though. Back in 2007, $11 million were handed over to Australian Rain Corporation, then headed by Matt Handbury. Then Foxtel got $30 million. There is a pattern here.
If anyone ever doubted that Turnbull is a Murdoch creature, this should lay that to rest.
Back to the think tank.
The financial review reported that:
“The grant, which was announced on Sunday, will be provided through the AAA, which was co-founded by Rupert Murdoch’s father, Sir Keith Murdoch. Part of the money will go to US Asia Centre, which is the US Study Centre’s sister organisation located at the University of Western Australia…”
“Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s wife, Lucy Turnbull, is the United States Studies Centre’s “patron…”
“The grant is an example of how politically connected organisations are often effective at lobbying governments for funding.
“Their son-in-law, James Brown, was the think tank’s research director from 2015 until a few months ago…”
This is going to chip away more of Malcolm Turnbull’s credibility, at a time of increasing public questioning about the connections between leading politicians and big business, and a perception that corruption is beginning to spiral out of control.
When the prime minister gets caught with his own hands in the till, whether directly or indirectly, it doesn’t exactly lift the standing of Australia’s politicians and political institutions. And the longer he remains in office, the more tarnished they get.
For those who can see a little further than the personality, it throws up the question of what changes can be made in Australia to stamp out this sort of practice. Unless this can be done, the faces can change, but business will go on as usual.
The other matter is the noxious influence of Murdoch and his empire. It turns up everywhere and begs for something to be done about it, and until this is sorted out, Australia will continue to suffer from it.
He is totally shot as a PM I would think
Get them ALL OUT,and put a watchdog on the next lot.
It’s about time we drew up a nice simple employment contract for ALL politicians in both local and central body politics to work for US by , a contract that only honest ordinary people with the best interests of the MAJORITY of the people can enter into and one which excludes all ‘ banksters’ and millionaires from entering as they are only interested in lining their own pockets whilst globetrotting at everyone else’s expense, I could write up a really good contract for them that would see only honest people with the best interests for the MAJORITY enter into and one which Malcolm Turnbull or his corrupt governors wouldn’t sign
He should be shot as a traitor !
Hey, would love to see some sources and evidence before I share this article, can they please be included? Thank you.
That’s evidents good enough and that sources out from USA 🇺🇸 What more do you want bloody oath.
Malcolm Turnbull has shot himself in the foot many times and is still there.
One can go back many years, But all this shows money can secure all things
Including people….
Know this for 20 freakin years. Change-is NEVER for the benefit of the people or the tax payer. Call me when TEN men of substance are prepared to fight these criminals. When these men are prepared to band together I will be the 11th. Until then I have a life to lead
Why isn’t he being investigated this is unbelieveable pure corruption going on here jail time
WWG1WGA
FISA
They are all connected.
Downer is directly involved with the Christopher Steele document. He’s so deep in the FISA warrant. I can’t wait to see him tumble and bring down the AUS house of cards with him…
http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2018/02/recent-australian-government-data-direct-clinton-foundation-taxpayer-donations-total-130m.html
Arent we supposed to be the watching dog?
Someone above comment wants a source. Surely Financial Review is a good start now follow the money and the connections it shouldn’t be hard. In my mind it has Turnbull/Murdock fingerprints all over it.. we need Federal ICAC.
Turnbull, his family and his government should be charged and convicted of treason.
Dear The-Pen
Love your work, this story being an excellent example.
But can you please get your SSL certificate sorted? Unencrypted connections are not a good idea in this day and age.
Cheers
I would like to share something with you
Turnbull hands ou another $12M to buddies.
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.afr.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fthink-tank-close-to-turnbulls-receives-12m-government-grant-20180723-h1317e&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc01f2892291f4334dc0908d5fb9b1d39%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636691565979128202&sdata=NiXcz%2Bf%2FCksRnsby1pEKvMpFTRKoVUJCF9MeuzhTsns%3D&reserved=0
Job Description of CEO’s and Senior Executives
INNOVATION – creative imagination directed at conceiving obscure, but reasonable sounding fees, undetectable methods of extracting those said fees from dead clients and providing no service for the same.
NEGOTIATION – exceptional gall to demand obscene remuneration packages, slashing jobs and reducing services.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS – pulling the wool over the eyes of regulators, promising their agents and servants generous future job opportunities and persuading the same to look the other way when indulging in criminal behaviour.
OTHER -lying, cheating and stealing
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” first Baron Acton (1834-1902) What a very sad state of affairs where in.
Why can’t we get rid of this Corrupt government. Surely A.F.P. can see all this corruption going on? It’s time for a I.C.A.C
They all involved in corruption about time AFP and ICAC should do something about it and if found guilty, arrest them and charge, freeze their corruption funds and jail including the top dogs. How ridiculous our world we live in😠😡🤬
Who gets a guernsey in the letters column at the Australian? Climate change deniers, coal lovers and advocates, and selfish neocons. The same old tiresome names keep propping up, John Bell Heidelberg, Babbette Francis Toorak, John Kidd, Henry Herzog, John Bidstrupt Plymton Park, Leo Vilensky Castle Cove, John George Terrigal, Peter D. Surkitt Sandringham, Jim Ball Narrabeen. The Octogenarian Dinosaur is determined to ensure economic feudalism becomes entrenched in Australia. Fat chance!