… and crime in the Victorian building and construction Industry, questioned by Senator Lambie.

(Click Below for Senator Lambie’s questioning of Nigel Hadgkiss in Senate Estimates Hearings)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIzFBkf2BPI

Independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie has used Senate Estimates Committee hearings to question Nigel Hadgkiss – the federal director of the Fair Work, Building and Construction Commission about the secret report he authored, which examined the effects of corruption and crime in the Victorian building and construction Industry.

“Mr Hadgkiss told the Senate Committee that he had been involved in law enforcement both in Australia and overseas for 46 years. The report he authored while employed as a Victorian public servant, was handed to the former Liberal Victorian State Government, which immediately made the document – cabinet in confidence- and therefore prevented members of the public from reading its contents.” said Senator Lambie.

“I’ve also discovered through correspondence with the Royal Commissioner Heydon that the then Liberal State Government in April 2014, refused a request from Commissioner Heydon for a copy of the Hadgkiss report.” said Senator Lambie.

“Including Commissioner Heydon’s own secret and confidential report handed to the Abbott Government in December last year, the Hadgkiss report makes the 2nd secret report that has been kept from, not only the public, but also the Cross Bench senators by the Liberal Party.

This concerns me. Commissioner Heydon described his confidential report as dealing with information which showed a: grave threat to the power and authority of the Australian state.” said Senator Lambie.

“Given the vital importance that both the Heydon and Hadgkiss secret reports have to the Government’s plans to re-establish the controversial Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) – I’m very surprised that Mr Abbott and his Liberal party members, haven’t made more of an effort to allow at least the cross bench senators to have access to those reports.

It’s only reasonable, prudent and proper that when I and other independent Senators vote on the Government’s ABCC legislation – we can do so fully informed. In the past we’ve been able to view top-secret government reports under strict supervision, which has protected the identity of witnesses while allowing Senators to become informed of all the relevant facts.

We can do the same when it comes to matters relating to the re-establishment of the ABCC. ” said Senator Lambie.

“If the Government fails to help the cross bench senators gain access to the Hadgkiss secret report then – (as I put to Mr Hadgkiss during the Senate Committee Hearings) – this is the 2nd Secret Report which examines the connection between organised crime, union officials and political parties – from both sides of politics – which has been covered up and blocked from public release by the Liberal party of Australia.” said Senator Lambie.
Rob Messenger