[Peetwo]

Cost of Albo's silence??

INDEPENDENT senator Nick Xenophon has called large political donations by listed regional airline Rex “incredibly baffling” and said he would be buying shares in the company so he could press board members on why the donations were made.


Mr Xenophon, who led a Senate committee inquiry into much criticised government investigation into the crash of a Rex-owned passenger plane off Norfolk Island, said the airline had an “obligation” to disclose why the donations were made.


Between July and November 2012 — amid a three-year inquiry into the Norfolk Island crash — Rex made a $250,000 donation to the ALP, $95,700 to the federal Nationals and $40,000 to the Liberal Party. This made the small airline one of the biggest political donors in the country.


“Rex is a public company and it had an obligation to explain whether even one (word) regarding the crash was spoken with any of the political parties,” Mr Xenophon told The Australian.


“This largesse to political parties is inexplicably baffling and I will be buying some shares in Rex and asking them to explain it.”


Rex spokeswoman Alicia Chapple has declined to respond to repeated questions from The Australian this week regarding the donations and other matters, saying that the airline did “not see the need to devote additional resources to this matter”.


The airline had earlier incorrectly claimed it had made no donations to the LNP; however, when shown otherwise, Ms Chapple said the airline had meant it had made no donations to the Queensland LNP.


Of particular interest was Rex’s $250,000 donation to the federal ALP given the airline was a highly vocal critic of the Labor government.


In 2013 Rex publicly said the ALP was “hellbent” on destroying regional aviation and “along with it pretty much the rest of the economy”.


Mr Xenophon said it appeared to defy reason why Rex would donate heavily to a government it would shortly afterwards describe as “destroying its industry”.


“Perhaps Rex had a case of Stockholm syndrome?” he said.


In 2009 a Rex aeroplane — operated under the group’s Pel-Air brand — ditched into the ocean with six passengers on board, badly injuring one.


A lengthy Australian Transport Safety Board investigation blamed the Pel-Air pilot involved in the crash but failed to mention 57 breaches or “serious deficiencies” at Pel-Air.


Mr Xenophon headed a Senate committee inquiry into that botched investigation, which led to the federal government last month calling on the ATSB to reopen the investigation.


Rex has also come under the spotlight after it was last year awarded a series of key Queensland government contracts which had previously been held by Cairns-based rival Skytrans.

For and on behalf of Ziggy - The following is a quote off the Senate Estimates thread:

Commonwealth legislative provisions relating to oversight of associated entities of political parties

On 19 April 2016, the following matter was referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by the 4 May 2016:

Commonwealth legislative provisions relating to oversight of associated entities of political parties, with particular reference to the adequacy of:

1.the funding and disclosure regime relating to annual returns;

2.the powers of the Australian Electoral Commission with respect to supervision of the conduct of, and reporting by, associated entities of political parties; and

3.any related matters; and

2.     That the Senate direct Senator Sinodinos to appear before the committee to answer questions.

The Submission closing date is mid-day, Tuesday 26 April 2016. The reporting date is 4 May 2016.

Probably much to the Ferryman's horror   , those ToR got me thinking..thinking..thinking???  Mainly 1. & definitely 3. but also some of 2. maybe??

As most PAIN associates know, PAIN has an extensive file on the PelAir cover-up Senate inquiry, that still gets regular updates and further information added, while we are actively conducting our parallel investigation with the ATSB VH-NGA re-investigation.

Now part of that file includes volumes of information pertaining to any dodgy or otherwise associations between REX and various political parties &/or government agencies. In particular there was one very murky association and political donation that occurred just prior to the Senate inquiry which began 22nd October 2012:

“Do you operate or conduct business under any other names?"


Rex made a $250,000 donation to the ALP, $95,700 to the federal Nationals and $40,000 to the Liberal Party. This made the small airline one of the biggest political donors in the country.

“Rex is a public company and it had an obligation to explain whether even one (word) regarding the crash was spoken with any of the political parties,” Mr Xenophon told The Australian.

“This largesse to political parties is inexplicably baffling and I will be buying some shares in Rex and asking them to explain it.”

&..

The airline had earlier incorrectly claimed it had made no donations to the LNP; however, when shown otherwise, Ms Chapple said the airline had meant it had made no donations to the Queensland LNP.


Of particular interest was Rex’s $250,000 donation to the federal ALP given the airline was a highly vocal critic of the Labor government.

In 2013 Rex publicly said the ALP was “hellbent” on destroying regional aviation and “along with it pretty much the rest of the economy”.

Mr Xenophon said it appeared to defy reason why Rex would donate heavily to a government it would shortly afterwards describe as “destroying its industry”.

“Perhaps Rex had a case of Stockholm syndrome?” he said.

In 2009 a Rex aeroplane — operated under the group’s Pel-Air brand — ditched into the ocean with six passengers on board, badly injuring one.

A lengthy Australian Transport Safety Board investigation blamed the Pel-Air pilot involved in the crash but failed to mention 57 breaches or “serious deficiencies” at Pel-Air.

Mr Xenophon headed a Senate committee inquiry into that botched investigation, which led to the federal government last month calling on the ATSB to reopen the investigation.

I also seem to recall a certain DIP statement, that recorded the DIP (on the way up to meeting with former minister Albo) bumping into a certain Mr John Sharp coming out of the lift with a number of files etc. under his arm?? - Hmm definitely have to dig that one out    

Very much related to the questionable motivation of the REX donation to the Labor party the following email chain was shared by Ziggy:

Hi All,

See Below.

Our "Seinfeld Parliament" is in Fine Form.

About Nothing...

Pleading for closure, truth, safety & fairness.

Years on, the Shiny Happy People of Parliament are

Content to ignore Serious Aviation Issues.

As I read this today.

I just shake my head in disbelief.

Supposed, well educated Men I left my

Life in. Never thinking for a moment 

That flying regularly around Australia

& the Pacific, I was SAFE.

Apparently NOT.

We all know the History of this Perplexed

continued "under the radar" whispers.

Now, beginning to be Amplified by an Elect-I-on.

So now the Shiny ones, after all these years

allow 30mins for Presentation & 30Mins for Q&A??

One hour.

Insulting to say the least.

The ridiculousness of Politics.

Nothing has changed, except seats.

Dangerous.

I'm with you all.

More time needed.

Absolutely.

Fawcett or X needed.

Oath.

KCy

 From the bottom the Ziggy FOI request rejection, from former minister Albo's office..   
 

Dear Ms Casey
 
Decision on access - FOI MO 13-01 – Audit report into Pel Air Aircraft VH-NGA
 
I refer to your request for access to documents in the possession of the Office of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982
(the FOI Act). 
 
Your request sought access to:                                                                                                                 
 
An Audit Report of Pel Air Aircraft VH-NGA prepared by CASA
 
A statement of reasons is attached. The original will be posted to you.
 
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the processing of your request. I can be reached by telephone on (02) 6274 6495 (or through the Department’s switchboard number on 1800 075 001) or by email at FOI@infrastructure.gov.au.
 
To assist the Department in responding to your future communication on this request, please quote the FOI tracking number located in the subject line.
 
Regards,
Rochelle Griffith
Governance, Planning and Reporting Section
Governance and Reporting Branch | Corporate Services Division
Department of Infrastructure and Transport
( (02) 6274 6495
 

Next Ziggy's request for review:

Dear Ms Debra Chesters,
 
As you know I have already submitted a request dated august 8th 2012 regarding the special CASA audit on VH-NGA Pel-Air. This was rejected hence why I have decided to pursue the next option of requesting a more senior investigative option. I thank you for your work, the search and the prompt reply.

Please pass on the below email to the appropriate person.
 
I, Karen casey request an internal review from the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure regarding the ditching of VH-NGA Pel-Air on November, 18, 2012.

I understand a thorough search was made recently and the document mentioned was not found.

I don NOT understand how our Minister of TRANSPORT would not have this document in his possession as it was a serious incident.

Just because there was no loss of life, does not warrant a head turn of ignorance. We fought every second to stay alive, from mpact to the ninety minutes in shark infested water fighting to breath. I want answers, truthful answers and an explanation as to why he has not received the documents. It is close to three years. Stop treating us as fools. 

I may not have died, but living with excruciating physical pain and psychological problems are intolerable. I deserve the truth from my government. No more lies.
 
Many lessons can be learnt from this incident, but it seems, from my view that ego and pride trumps the truth. I am extremely disappointed in the conduct of CASA, the Minister, the ATSB and of the operators Pel-Air/Rex.
 
How can a Minister for transport not have these documents and be acutely aware of the incident. I do not understand. The integrity that is suppose to govern incidents such as this I can not see.

I know there is a copy of the report on the ABC website. I want it from my Minister office, it has to be there.

I have not watched the ABC program as my mind is not yet ready to see a re-enactment nor hear the absolute lies that come out of our aviation leaders mouth.

I believe if action is not taken towards our aviation watchdogs and investigators, my fear is that a devastating air disaster of greater magnitude will occur in this country. This will be on your hands. This would be caused through lack of professional oversight of robust policies and procedures with regular performance management. Not for large airlines only, but for our smaller aviation business, human lives involved here too.

Airwork involves professional people dedicated to helping/rescuing others in distress or acutely ill.

We deserve the same respect and protection.

There is also the very clear element of the law of gravity, a law of the universe. Aviation needs to be completely independent from our grounded incidents. Specialised, qualified and experienced individuals need to be totally dedicated to aviation to keep our skies safe from the law of gravity that can not be broken. Please think about this.
 
I am experiencing the consequences of NGA, I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.
Isn't it time our Minister made changes.
 
Please pass this onto Prime Minister Julia Gillard, she needs to know, she flies regularly.
 
Regards,

Next the reply to that 30 days later..

Dear Ms Casey

 
I refer to your email below and request for internal review of the recent FOI access decision of the Office for the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.  Please see attached the completed review request.
 
Kind regards
Allison Kenna
FOI Coordinator
Governance, Planning and Reporting
Department of Infrastructure and Transport 

& the inevitable Ziggy reply:

 Dear Mr Albanese,
 
Why do you not have a copy of the audit from CASA regarding the ditching of VH-NGA?
I would think being a Transport Minister that you would have copies of such serious incidents in the form of report, especially considering that we were travelling through International air-space. Please answer that question too.
 
Kind Regards,
Karen Casey.

TBC..

The questions that Ziggy asked back then were IMO fair & reasonable, why would the former minister Albanese deny having access or reject the proposition of being able to obtain a copy of the December 2009 CASA 'Special Audit Report' of PelAir? Could it be that that by then Albo had already reached some formal agreement to O&O the ATSB PelAir investigation in lieu of the REX 250K political donation? One thing is for sure Albo definitely has held 'MUM' on making any comments, responses to the Senate PelAir cover-up inquiry findings. Maybe that's what the 250K was for i.e. to buy his silence??

Makes you wonder about the former minister for no-aviation Albo's opposition to the original Senator Xenophon motion for inquiry. 



Kind of ironic how Dolan was more than happy to participate in & engage with the good Senator in regards to his inquiries on the PelAir cover-up final report.


MTF...P2