Senator in hot water on business dealings

Government backbencher Barry O'Sullivan may have fallen foul of the constitution because of family business dealings.

The Queensland senator's family's construction company Newlands Civil Construction is subcontracted to work on a federally funded project - the Toowoomba second range crossing.

The contract, worth $2.5 million, 80 per cent of which comes from Canberra, covers demolition work, sewerage diversion, water mains and site access gates, according to the company's website.

There are question marks over whether Senator O'Sullivan is in breach of section 44 of the constitution, which states a member or senator can be disqualified where there is "any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the public service of the Commonwealth".

AAP understands Newlands is subcontracted by another company called Nexus which has an agreement with the Queensland state government.

Senator O'Sullivan denies he "either directly or indirectly, holds a pecuniary interest in any agreement with the public service of the Commonwealth."

He insists his interests are published publicly, in their entirety, and methodical effort is taken to ensure these details are updated thoroughly.

"Importantly, a review by Newlands Civil Construction has proven that it does not hold any agreement with any company or entity that has an agreement with the public service of the Commonwealth," he said in a statement.

He pointed the media to his register of interests which was last updated in May.

On the second page under the section shareholdings in public and private companies, Senator O'Sullivan lists his interest in Jilbridge Pty Ltd which is a subsidiary of O'Sullivan and Son Pty Ltd which is a subsidiary of Newlands Civil Construction Pty Ltd.

But he insists he does not currently have a direct interest in Newlands.

Senator O'Sullivan's son, who is also named Barry, is the managing director of Newlands.

"The O'Sullivan family remains the controlling shareholders of the group," his Linkedin profile states.

"Newlands has grown from a small family operation to an organisation that now employs in excess of 100 staff with additional management oversight of up to 60 independent subcontractors."

In April, the High Court found Family First senator Bob Day was ineligible to sit in parliament because he indirectly benefited from the government's lease arrangement on his Adelaide electorate office.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/senator-in-hot-water-on-business-dealings/news-story/2b92982110e6f5771d9bf80f7107c5c7

Odd that The Australian failed to ID him as a LIBERAL Senator.

Aussie wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:11pm:

Odd that The Australian failed to ID him as a LIBERAL Senator.

;), Goodness me , sucks to be a rightard

Quote:

The contract, worth $2.5 million, 80 per cent of which comes from Canberra, covers demolition work, sewerage diversion, water mains and site access gates, according to the company's website. There are question marks over whether Senator O'Sullivan is in breach of section 44 of the constitution, which states a member or senator can be disqualified where there is "any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the public service of the Commonwealth".

He claims no interest in the Family compay ???

If true he will be ok. 

Does not look real credible on the surface, If he is involved in the family business he is gone.

Dnarever wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:37pm:

Quote: The contract, worth $2.5 million, 80 per cent of which comes from Canberra, covers demolition work, sewerage diversion, water mains and site access gates, according to the company's website. There are question marks over whether Senator O'Sullivan is in breach of section 44 of the constitution, which states a member or senator can be disqualified where there is "any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the public service of the Commonwealth". He claims no interest in the Family compay ??? If true he will be ok.  Does not look real credible on the surface, If he is involved in the family business he is gone.

We will push aside what is right and let the high court decide

What  was the result  with the liberal  who had the  building lease to oz post?  David somebody? In port macquarie

Francis wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:47pm:

What  was the result  with the liberal  who had the  building lease to oz post?  David somebody? In port macquarie

High Court booted him.

Is he a Kiwi, too?

just another case of pigs at the trough doing what pigs at a trough do best

Aussie wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:57pm:

Francis wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:47pm: What  was the result  with the liberal  who had the  building lease to oz post?  David somebody? In port macquarie High Court booted him.

Ahhh , the old find a palatable excuse for the commons the high court  :-?

A Senator is not a big deal as they can simply be replaced without a by-election.

juliar wrote on Aug 18^th, 2017 at 12:06am:

A Senator is not a big deal as they can simply be replaced without a by-election.

True, but it shows the electorate the mob of spivs and crooks that make up the Lib govt are an incompetent shambles. Not a good look.

Aussie wrote on Aug 17^th, 2017 at 8:57pm:

Francis wrote on Aug 17th, 2017 at 8:47pm: What  was the result  with the liberal  who had the  building lease to oz post?  David somebody? In port macquarie High Court booted him.

No I believe  his still the sitting  MP?

another one ::)

The worried despairing Lefties are fighting over any scraps thrown at them.

Bit funny really as the whole thing is just a farcical distraction as Mal will get his friends in the Hi Court to put it all in the garbage tin.

Just like Gillard used to do.

Another one  ::)

Another one  ::)

Even the JuLiar is getting embarrassed by this!

Another one  ::)

As I keep saying we have the most vile creatures in our parliament and you know it's true 'cause even the Mafia won't hire them. The chances of a photo of any Australian politician eating prison food is slim. Who remembers turd burgler promoter Warren Entsch and his failures?

Warren Entsch has a long history of hiding his business holdings from the public and his Parliamentary colleagues, in violation of ethical rules.  This goes back to before 1999, when he held directorship and ownership interests in Cape York Concrete and pastoral company Vervale and then lied to then Prime Minister John Howard about it.

http://www.hillbillywatch.com/2016_06_26_archive.html

Here's a list of our pollies who made honest mistakes:

Misuse of Parliamentary entitlements

http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/articles/misuse-parliamentary-entitlements

This is all allowable under coalition policy.  In fact, it is expected if you want to stay in the party.