The Government has refused to confirm whether the former politician who sold out Australia to advance the interests of a foreign regime still has access to Parliament House. Former parliamentarians are automatically entitled to passes which grant them access to the private areas of Parliament House in Canberra.
In the words of ASIO spy chief, Mike Burgess, the former politician that “sold out their country to advance the interests of a foreign regime” could be sitting in an office in Parliament House right now and no one would know.
Instead of treating this concern seriously, the Government’s response to my question on this was laughter.
The Government, or the ASIO Chief, must name this traitor as soon as possible. This cloud over Parliament’s security must be fixed immediately.
Transcript
Senator ROBERTS: My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Gallagher. When will the government name the former Australian politician that ASIO Chief Mike Burgess yesterday referenced as someone who sold out Australia to advance the interests of a foreign regime?
Senator Gallagher: I thank Senator Roberts for the question, and I note the annual threat assessment that was delivered last night by the director-general of ASIO. We have utmost confidence in our security and intelligence services. The director-general made a comment about this. He was specifically asked about this last night. He said he’d made a deliberate decision not to name the individual, and he provided reasons for this. The government respects his judgement. He has our 100 per cent support. He has the full picture, and he made an informed decision.
The threat assessment made clear that we need to continue to be vigilant and sober in how we respond to threats, and this is what we are doing. The annual threat assessment is an assessment made by ASIO. It is delivered by the director-general of that organisation. It’s not something that the government authors. It’s a document that is very much the director-general and ASIO’s to do so, and he has all the information available to him. He made a decision about that. If that decision changes, that’s his decision as well. It is not a decision for the government to make.
Senator ROBERTS: Minister, former parliamentarians, as I understand it, have an automatic pass to enter Parliament House. The former politician who sold out this country could be in this building right now, in a parliamentarian’s office, and the office holder, MP or senator, would have no idea they’re talking to a spy. Why won’t you name the traitor now?
Senator Gallagher: I think passes to this building are a matter for the Presiding Officers—the rules around that.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Senator Gallagher: I think it is, isn’t it?
An honourable senator: Yes.
Senator Gallagher: Yes, it is.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Senator Gallagher: Well, it is. Sorry, but it’s not a matter that the government is responsible for. In relation to the question you asked, which was about naming an individual, it’s a matter for the director-general of ASIO. If he were to choose to name an individual, that would be a matter for him. As part of his annual threat assessment, he made a decision to raise the issue, I think, and to rightly point to the fact that foreign interference is an issue. It’s an issue that all of us, as members of parliament, need to be aware of— (Time expired)
The President: Senator Roberts, second supplementary?
Senator ROBERTS: Minister, you have just put the Presiding Officer in a difficult position. Why is this government afraid to say the c-word and acknowledge the country that is the greatest risk to Australia’s interests and largest perpetrator of foreign interference—China, the Chinese Communist Party?
Senator Gallagher: I’m not sure of the question really. We talk about China all the time as a government. We’ve been seeking to stabilise the relationship. We’ve been seeking to remove some of the trade bans. But we’ve also been very clear that we must disagree where we do, and, where we can agree, we should reach agreement. But there are things that are in our national interests that we may disagree on, and then we will be upfront about that. We will always act in our country’s national interest. That’s what we’ve done from the first day we were appointed and it’s what we will continue to do. That’s what guides us in relation to our interactions and our work across the world. There are a number of countries that we engage with regularly, but it’s always in our national interest that we do that.
I believe this person belongs to one of the major parties, I don’t believe it is the Liberal party. If it was they would be named.
So a criminal is not committing a crime now. But was and, did. That’s ok so if you get away with a crime and not offend . You get away with the crime. Sounds just how politicians in Canberra get away with anything and everything .
Even receiving a PASS to enter freely into the Federal Parliament building?
AFTER he ex politician HAS RESIGNED FROM PARLIAMENT???
free train rides and an inflated Pension no matter if the person was a disaster in office
Low office overheads when they are a LOBBYIST, and impresses Clients and the free meals? – the mind boggles – even now after all that has and is happening. and netering other Politicians offices to make contact and conduct Business.
REVISION of this area by a non involved/n NO interests external committee and new Rules & Regulations put into Law.
Every single one of these traitors needs to be removed from office immediately. I’m so sick of this traitorous government doing as they please to line their pockets instead of working for the people. These traitors have to be hung for Treason.
If you want to get rich, get into politics. Remove the title Honourable, they are not worthy of it.
Spot on Graham. In the past they got a rope or bullet.
But now: keeping the millions and not even named. What a joke!
I am an Aircraft Engineer, working at Amberley RAAf Base. If I sell secrets to China, can I keep the monies and my job?
I bet, not.
In this society : everyone is equal, but a politician is more equal… 🙁
I agree with Bill , we have a corrupt government, who are controlled by China, in a lot of things,, the people of Australia are thick, they listen to the lies of the media, they listen to the lies of labor, there are no elections it’s cheated and controlled , and these outside interest control, and have the money to make sure they get in, God sees these c irruption, they will be dealt with in his timing not ours, the push is for a one world government, Scott Morrison faught against China,, but they showed him whose boss, the Liberals will never get in , the elections are rigged
Of course it’s in Labor’s interests not to mention their comrades “ CHINA “ as they are one of the same . I believe Labor are allowing China opportunities to infiltrate this country for future takeover .
They don’t need to invade they’ve been embedded with n Australia since Keating
I totally agree with you 100%
100%
Labors answer to everything. Laugh.
I find it very suspicious when the government/s hide important information about persons of interest and don’t immediately move to expel them from the country. Instead they hide info making it hard to trust the government – but wait!!! I don’t trust the government already. I hope you can build the party up to a level where it becomes a true force against albo and his stupid policies especially the voice – I see SA government has bent the knee to the great indigenous gods of the dreamtime.
If that traitor shared documents to someone else outside Australia, isn’t that treason? Why does he have access if he’s stepped away from parliament, that privilege should not be granted. Just like any employee, once you’ve resigned from a position you return your id’s, keys and laptop(if owned by the company). You no longer have access to the business/employer. That law needs to be changed
What is the punishment for treason? No one seems to be asking
Our treason laws were watered down by Gillard, and Turnbull. 🙁
One must ask themselves “Why???”. Consider, too, the likes of Gillard, Bishop, Rudd and Co. sending Clinton Foundation huge grants – of Australian taxpayers’ money. What did we get out of it????
Under the Constitution, the death penalty was prescribed for treason, sedition, seditious conspiracy and misprision of treason but there was obviously some scope for mercy/leniency, consideration of degree of culpability, and all.
I wonder if a Particular Politician that traveled to China and would not take the Media with him or anyone else but went on his own as anything to say about this accusation.I would 100% bet it is Labour Scum.
From the outside looking in, it seems that there are probably a lot of current parliamentarians who have sold out their country to advance the interests of a foreign regime, either directly or indirectly. particularly when one interprets “foreign regime” as including international corporations whose interests are inimical to the vital interests of Australia and Australians.
The major parties – Tweedledum and Tweedledee – as well as the Greens are infested with parliamentarians who have sold out Australia, for money as well as ideology.
100%
All access should be removed once they are no longer elected.It applies with other employers.
Thank you Senator for asking this question, if a Australian citizen in our defence force commits treason they are named and face the death penalty, I believe any politician that is payed by the Australian population commits treason they should be held absolutely accountable and face the same penalty as the Australian defence force, there is no defence for committing treason you sell out your country you face the death penalty otherwise there is no deterrent, I find this an absolute cover up as all that are connected to the CCP or the WEF etc are traitors to Australia and should be tried for treason just like any other Australian citizen would be no parliamentary privileges at all treason is treason
Thank you Senator for asking this question, if a Australian citizen in our defence force commits treason they are named and face the death penalty, I believe any politician that is payed by the Australian population commits treason they should be held absolutely accountable and face the same penalty as the Australian defence force, there is no defence for committing treason you sell out your country you face the death penalty otherwise there is no deterrent, I find this an absolute cover up as all that are connected to the CCP or the WEF etc are traitors to Australia and should be tried for treason just like any other Australian citizen would be no parliamentary privileges at all treason is treason
They should be named, arrested and charged for treason, stripped of any power, and any other entitlement.
Sincerely / born Aussie, fitheid generation Australian.
Mac John McKenzie
If the governments not responsible who’s running the country
Unless there is some section or regulation within the relevant legislation that limits the time from when an offence occurs, to when an alleged offender is charged, I cannot see how the culprit cannot be charged. I think it more likely there is insufficient evidence, capable of supporting a successful conviction as a possible reason for the coyness to name and shame. Further, the cost of forcibly rooting out the players (A Team), prosecutions/deportations may not be financially viable.
The way they have done it suggests more, “we know who you are and what you have been up to, sod off now before we come for you.”
I have my own idea on who the Polly is and would love to see him/her serve 7 years in the nick.
If this person was a Liberal or National party candidate, the ALP politicians would be fighting each other to be the person who named him or her. Instead, it was chronic liar and political lightweight Katy Galligher who blew the silent whistle, Albo not being available. You can bet your last pay-packet that Albo would have been available if it was a LNP politician because right now he needs to rescue his credibility. This opportunity would have been perfect to show he is an effective leader for Australia.
No matter how you look at this, it must have been an ALP politician. They are stalling.
What do we do about treason? Treason was scrapped decades ago but the penalty was death. So is it gone? No. As Kirby and Gibbs, two Chief Justices of the High Court determined, Australian Parliament has been unlawful since either the Statute of Westminster of 1931, or the Australia Act of 1986. In point of fact, Australia is still a colony of the British Empire, which was run by the City of London. Contrary to popular belief in 1901, all that happened was six British colonies became one. We did not gain national sovereignty until 1919 at the Treaty Of Versailles.
In practical terms, because the British Empire is not about to send a gunboat up Sydney Harbour, it is Rafertys Rules. Nobody has any legal authority at all. We, the effing pissed-off people of Australia, are totally free to chuck the treasonous politicians out of Parliament, hang them all, and establish a genuine democracy. Nobody can say boo.
I have made all the calculations and within five years, not only would we be the most prosperous nation in the world, we would be the most powerful. I presume One Nation still supports the electronic debit tax, so with this installed, and tariffs restored, our oil and gas nationalised, and taxes removed from fuel, the bad times would be over.
Marvel comix fans will claim the Yanks will invade but they are wrong. We just tell Anthony Blinken that “Be nice and we will let you keep your spy and navigation bases here, but one wrong move and we close them all down. Kaboom! Gone forever.”. Trust me, Blinken will back right off. Without those bases the US is surveillance and navigationally blind on this entire half of the planet. They would be vulnerable to successful attack by Russia, China, Iran, or Turkey; Probably all four together.
Well… what are you sitting around for? Take our country back.
I suspect it’s Alexander Downer as he was the WEF scammer who played his part in the lies about Trump.
I suspect that you might be right.
In between prancing around in his fishnet stockings, and all, his interaction with Mr. Papadopoulis and Mr. Steele certainly raises some interesting questions ….not the sockings….I am *definitely* not interested in his stockings.
So why isn’t the traitor in jail? If there is a traitor in government and would suggest there are many, then why isn’t this one in jail? Seems to me those protecting traitor’s identity should also be in jail for being complicit in their freedom. Unless they have recruited said traitor as a double agent. But I hardly think state secrets are that secret these days which means the traitor is more of a collaborator in undermining policies to further foreign interests. So why aren’t they in jail?
A very fine question, indeed. But you have to ask yourself why those who wield judicial power have not brought that power to bear. Why not? Why have police (foreign militia, as opposed to Officers of the Peace? Right, Craig Kelly??) not arrested the guy. Mr. Burgess seems to have NAZIs under his bed (As evidence by his Sunday night special some months back – I remember seeing those guys arresting each other on Jan 6th, in the US, but I digress) but I’ve never once heard him talk about the communist threat to this country. Why not? Who runs/owns the police? Who runs/owns the judiciary? Who runs/owns the politicians? We, the Australian people, in accordance with our Constitution (1901, Cth) have the power and the politicians are supposed to be curbed by the lawful authority of our Constitution – but that power has been usurped. Why is the traitor not in gaol, or better yet, hung in accordance with the prescribed penalty under our constitution??? Because the Power of the People, Consistent with *our* Constitution, has been usurped by these pernicious mutts who rub their treason and other crimes in our faces *daily*.
So why isn’t the traitor in jail? If there is a traitor in government and would suggest there are many, then why isn’t this one in jail? Seems to me those protecting traitor’s identity should also be in jail for being complicit in their freedom. Unless they have recruited said traitor as a double agent. But I hardly think state secrets are that secret these days which means the traitor is more of a collaborator in undermining policies to further foreign interests. So why aren’t they in jail?
Is this a federal pollie or a state pollie?
Why all this anti china bullshit?
China has done nothing wrong to Australia.
US Propaganda is working on the sheep.
Either join the new multi polar world order or go down with the ship.
The use of the word “traitor” is apt in this instance. When I observed the facial expressions and body language of the Government senators I did not detect any interest or concern in this matter.
Another ball handling answer.
So the Governments not responsible for the country’s security. What a joke.
Katie Gallagher herself is a total liar, why does she still have a job following the Brittany Higgins fiasco.
Instead of harping who is the traitor, some of yous put labor in power,, the labor will do what they are told to do, Australia is already sold out to China!, China has already infiltrated the government, will use Australia to bring America down through the BRI infrastructure, elections are rigged, they will put a evil government that does as it’s told to do, like the NZ labor government, she went running to China, the liberal can’t get in any more, the labor party have trenched themselves in, they control the states, and local government, federal, so liberal cannot tople them, the labor government will not reveal that labor traitor, they will make a law to cover them, threaten the leak
I think it is utterly appalling, but I am not surprised there is a traitor in government and they refuse to mention his name. Same as the enquiry into Covid, Yelbo is protecting his mates Chairman Dan and Anna. They are in politics to make money for themselves and the vast majority of Labor politicians have never had a real job,