Senator ‘ignorant or a fool’

War of words over Coast MP’s business dealings

LABOR Senator Murray Watt has told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to find a better MP than Stuart Robert for the Gold Coast.

In a remarkable return spray, Mr Robert told the Bulletin Senator Watt was “either ignorant or a fool” and playing politics.

The feud between the Coast MPs took off after Senator Watt held a doorstop media interview in Canberra yesterday, taking aim at the Fadden MP about allegations regarding his business dealings.

Senator Watt challenged Mr Robert to prove his shareholdings did not breach federal laws which prevent politicians profiting, even indirectly, from government contracts.

Earlier reports alleged Mr Robert’s private companies were awarded government IT contracts worth $16.5 million in 2007 and 2010, after he was elected to Parliament.

“This appears to be a straight out conflict of interest, and calls into question his eligibility to have served as an MP,” Senator Watt said.

Senator Watt alleged Mr Robert had been twice previously caught out mixing his private business and fundraising interests with his official duties, forcing him to resign as a Minister. “Surely, this is the third strike and he should be out and Malcolm Turnbull should get a better Member of Parliament for the Gold Coast.”

Mr Robert, at a minimum, must assure the public that he is not currently generating any private gain, through his personal businesses, from his role as an MP, he added.

Mr Robert said he had made sure on being elected to Parliament in 2007 that his corporate affairs were structured to ensure no breach of Section 44 “as many MPs do”.

“The Liberal Party also ensured this was the case through their vetting process. I ceased involvement with the GMT Group (the company which won the contract) prior to the 2010 election, so I have fought and won three elections since that date,” Mr Robert said.

“Therefore, not withstanding I left the GMT Group three elections and seven years ago, and therefore it’s all a mute point, my affairs were structured to avoid the obvious issue of Section 44.

“Senator Watt is either ignorant or a fool if he doesn’t understand this, or is simply playing political games whilst we focus on real issues like skyhigh electricity prices caused by (former Queensland) Premier (Anna) Bligh of whom he was her chief of staff.”