Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Wills for his question. Yes, it is important that federal public servants provide advice to the government in an impartial and committed way and I am, sadly, aware of recent instances where that did not occur. Yesterday the Senate Privileges Committee published its report on the Godwin Grech affair and made public a number of emails that are rather extraordinary. I would just like to quote a few of these emails to give an indication of the seriousness of what has prevailed here.

First, an email from Mr Grech to a Mr John O’Sullivan, who I understand is a key supporter of the Leader of the Opposition, says:

What I have in mind is that once Rudd and his hacks sign off on Ford Credit—you and I can change the contract to reflect your preferred fee arrangement and push that through quickly next week. I will not be running it past Henry and co.

Secondly, from Mr Grech to a redacted—that is, not disclosed—name:

My immediate motivation is to place myself where I think I could be of most value to MT—

I think we know who MT is—

and the Party. At this stage, I am probably more valuable here in Treasury (albeit the personal risks I am taking). I am also doing some fundraising for MT. He tells me the cupboard is bare.

And an email from Mr Grech to none other than MT—

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