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Godwin Grech may have been an ill, heavily over-worked public servant in Treasury struggling to cope with singlehandedly running the OzCar initiative, but he managed to find time to send a large number of emails from his workplace to external figures, including a great many to John O’Sullivan, Liberal Party official, close associate of and fundraiser for Malcolm Turnbull and chairman, Australian Investment Banking, Credit Suisse.
Treasury provided these emails to the Senate Privileges Committee and they were tabled last night in printed but electronic form.
Godwin offers political character assessments to O’Sullivan on May 27 :
President Obama “is the Kevin Rudd of US politics — a pure fake. Let’s see the “Black Jesus” deal with the feral North Koreans …”
Kevin Rudd: “The duplicity and misrepresentation by Rudd are in some respects more extreme than Obama.”
Godwin on social policy — to O’Sullivan on May 27 :
I was incensed late last year when the Brumby Labor Government introduced legislation to legalise late term abortions in Victoria … Rudd refused [to intervene] — saying the issue was a state matter! Since when is abortion — late term abortion — a state matter … We have to defeat this man.
Godwin tries to assure the Liberals of his bona fides — to Arthur Sinodinos on May 25:
Arthur
If possible, it would be good if you can send Eric Abetz a very short email or SMS before Friday this week just to let him know I am on his side.
I will explain later — but I need him to know from a highly credible source that I am Lib.
Godwin on his employer — to O’Sullivan, May 20:
Treasury supports what Bowen is doing; a key difference today with Whitlam is that at least Treasury held true in the period 1972-75. Indeed, Treasury was pivotal in revealing the loans affair. Today Treasury is as left wing loony as the Government it serves.
Godwin on good administration and misleading the Prime Minister — to Sinodinos on May 21:
Arthur
There is a very good reason why I am making a special effort for [unnamed car dealer]. The principal is a strong financial donor to to the party and uses her home to hold fund raisers in the seat of ******. MT [Malcolm Turnbull] knows of her (he has in fact been to her house). I have told Rudd in person that she supports Labor and he told me to ensure she is looked after!! Risky on my part but I am enjoying the irony of it!!
Godwin on Arthur Sinodinos’s political prospects — to O’Sullivan, May 11:
Have just read it [first op-ed piece by Sinodinos]. VG I think — and clearly part of his Bradfield strategy. Arthur would not be preparing weekly articles that are clearly pro-Coalition — if he wanted a long-term career in banking!!
Godwin on good administration again — to O’Sullivan, 6 May
John
I am planning to add a couple of lines in the press release [about the special purpose vehicle and financing] before I send it to Swan about the role of CS [Credit Suisse] ie to try to talk you up a bit. I think we will get away with it …
On May 8, Godwin emails O’Sullivan again
CS should definitely put its hand up — something extraordinary would have to happen for you not to end up on the Panel and to cream most of the work.
Godwin on the Liberal Party — to O’Sullivan March 13:
John
Thanks. We need people like JA [Janet Albrechtsen, O’Sullivan’s wife, whose columns Grech regularly compliments] in the Party Room and on the front bench!! We need to do something about the leadership farce urgently. MT may need to contemplate some dramatic moves because Costello will bleed this out with only Rudd winning.
To a Coalition staffer — December 4, 2008:
I agree that MT is doing a good job — but he needs to deal with the JB issue. We also need to develop a broad narrative that sets out what we stand for …
To a Coalition staffer — November 7, 2008
I have long wanted to work as a staffer (although I would much prefer in Government!!) As I have told [unnamed] the plan was to move to the PMO after Howard won last year and to be there as he served out his last period in office (alas he lost the election!!).
Health is an issue for me. I cannot hide that; but I am determined not to let that stop me.
My immediate motivation is to place myself where I think I could be of most value to MT and the Party. At this stage, I am probably more value here in Treasury (albeit the personal risks I am taking). I am also doing some fundraising for MT — he tells me that the cupboard is bare!
To a Coalition staffer September 4, 2008:
As I flagged this morning, I really don’t think we are being creative and strategic enough in the handling of the various budget measures and Fuelwatch. We are making ourselves easy targets by simply opposing and allowing Rudd and Swan to run a simple line that we are being fiscally reckless …
Godwin does policy development
Godwin prepares a proposal for a “National Economic Forecasting Commission” for a “Turnbull Government” and sends it to Sinodinos on May 18, 2009.
Arthur
Not a bad Neilson (sic) poll this morning — especially on the primary. [Nielsen poll in May was 53-47 and 44-43 on primaries] Neilson typically overstates ALP support. Also very interesting primary result in Victoria — with the Federal coalition going from a 20 point deficit in March to a 5 point lead now!
… I have prepared the attached proposal. Let me know what you think.
Sinodinos tells Grech “John Stone and Des Moore were lukewarm about the Turnbull proposal [for a Parliamentary Budget Office] so I doubt they would support this other model.”
Grech reples:
Treasury would strongly oppose — that’s part of the motivation; Treasury would need to accept that the world has changed — part of the price of getting too close to the ALP …
This is in part what I want — to establish a clear tangible motive that we can point to so as to help us provie that Treasury is pro-ALP. This I believe is critical to removing Rudd’s Treasury fig leaf …
Godwin on the Budget — May 13, 2009 to John O’Sullivan:
I think JA (Albrechsten) or one of her colleagues should get very agro on the fraud relating to the budget growth projections [since significantly upgraded and criticized as too pessimistic] and what they mean for the deficit and overall debt levels ….
… should also remind readers that the Treasury Executive Board has very close links with the ALP. It is an arm of the ALP.
… I am happy to speak with JA for background if she wants. I am deleting this as soon as I send it through to you.
That no one in the Liberal Party — not Abetz or Turnbull, not Sinodinos or O’Sullivan — had reservations about this individual speaks volumes for their judgement.
That Treasury was unaware this individual was emailing senior Liberal Party figures regularly from his work account speaks volumes for its security.
Above all, it says even more for just who Godwin Grech really is.
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35 Comments
Cringe.
Bloody hell.
As a former public servant, I am shocked and saddened that this man was ever allowed to work in the positions that he did - he obviously had no respect for public service values. Disgusting.
Is this sort of cloak-and-dagger, fifth-column stuff common in the APS?
If this claim from the May 21 email is true — “I have told Rudd in person that she supports Labor and he told me to ensure she is looked after!!” — then it would seem as Rudd finds it unremarkable.
You have to wonder a few things from Grech and his sort of “Gorzer-gate” - what is the meaning of these Senate “knees-ups” if he can get away with what he has done. Anyone should be able to do the same thing now, and they should be able to quote this precedent.
Also, has “Vinz Clortho” left the gate open on how the Coalition and it’s media pals operate?
And you can imagine how people with ego’s the likes of Howard and Turnbull, presented with this fawning sycophant (back to “Louis Tully”) as he seems to come across in his correspondence with them, would treat his shell, after they’ve sucked all the goodness out of him!
My brief experiences in public service (I was a contractor in the SA Transport Dept for about a year a few years back) was that public servants are genuinely apolitical policy wonks. The Godwin Gretches of the world are few and far between. Despite my left-wing leanings, I’m actually pleased that there are a few Godwins out there who, despite my personal disagreement with his actions, cowboy things up in public service workplaces. The world needs it.
Surely this man should be charged under the Public Service Act?
Alan Kessing was the employee of the Australian Customs Service who provided information to Anthony Albanese when in Opposition, that exposed dangerous holes in Australia’s border security procedures.
He lost everything. He was motivated to inform the Australian public that they were being misled. The information he revealed was upheld by higher authorities than his bosses. Yet he was prosecuted for what he did, while Godwin Grech is let off.
How does this treatment of Alan Kessing compare to that of Godwin Grech? I would not want to drag a sick man down, but this contrast deeply disturbs me. We have prosecuted other sick people before, like Richard Pratt. Grech’s behaviour, judging by the emails revealed, demonstrate he was completely deluded about his position, and seeking higher office for his services. But he gets to retire on health grounds, poor man. While Kessing is dragged through the mud?
How do we rectify this dissonance? How do we trust our governments when they can act like this and don’t seem to recognise how dreadful they look because of the apparent injustice? Julia Gillard on a pink sofa is not enough of an answer, in all honesty.
Great comments Robbi64. The Kessing comparison is very sound.
Purr. Thanks Dave.
I was upset at how Kessing was treated. I’ve seen it happen TOO MANY TIMES. So I gots a bit cross and when I’m cross … I spit. I’m only a girl, don’t worry, it doesn’t ignite.
Many thanks, Bernard. I’ve found very little about this anywhere else in the media and I’m grateful to you. It’s the reason that I subscribe to Crikey, not to read some pre-election beat up of sleazy sex stories and praise for cheque book journalism.
Grech, apparently, is getting off scot free due to his health which was, allegedly, partly occasioned by overwork. Given the amount of time that it seems he was spending on preparing ‘proposals’ for the next Liberal government and promoting himself to the party influential (creep, crawl, creep) perhaps that party should pay Grech’s medical expenses and resignation payout.
I wonder if Rudd now doesn’t regret not doing a Howard and sacking everyone within sight and re-stocking the public service with his ‘own’ men and women.
One bright spot I did note in the papers was that Senator Eric Abetz was found to have been as pure, if not purer, than the driven snow.
This is truly appalling and, if true, seems like it MUST warrant prosecution. Kessing is a good comparison.
As a soon-to-be public servant, I take PS apoliticism seriously. Even though I have strong political beliefs, I understand that to seek to blatantly pursue my own goals while undermining the government of the day would be grossly damaging to my country and her people. If only Grech had the decency to think the same.
Lastly, shame on Canberra for letting this slide.
ROBB164 should be taken seriously - what about restoring Kessing to formal grace ? He is already greatly admired and grieved for by decent Australians.
As Turnbull was receiving this info from his mole, what does it say about his integrity and judgement? Nothing surer he was also receiving the gist of what O’Sullivan was receiving.
Is this justice for all or just injustice for a few?
Thanks, Bernard, for the piece and thanks, ROBBI64, for the comparison with Alan Kessing. We might also recall the vindictive behaviour towards Andrew Wilkie following his principled resignation from ONA because of disagreement with government policy on the Iraq war. These people are vilified and persecuted while Grech gets away with his slimy, egotistical behaviour. No surprise at all that the Coalition were more than happy to use him to get at the government; shame about the exploding cigar!
Frank - well remembered. Andrew Wilkie. Another man of integrity, who even hung his butt out far enough to run for Parliament over it.
Rena … my observations and education have led me to the uncomfy conclusion that it is injustice for a select few. To be scapegoated, you must be really on to something that vested interests do not want revealed.
Raymondchurch … MT is attempting to distance himself and may indeed be able to put a degree or two or separation between himself and Godwin. However, the taint travels much further than just one degree, and he should know that himself. Defamation law. His only possible move from here is to be seen to discipline those in the party who allowed Godwin so much rope.
John T - thank you for your kind support. I agree that Kessing should be restored to grace, and would think an OA would not be out of place - for services to the Australian public.
Thanks Robbi, I see in a news flash this a/noon MT’s problems don’t appear to be going away, SMH is reporting Tony Abbott is about to resign from the front bench. I suspect those who claim to be agrieved by Turnbulls actions in the party room are turning the screws.
Raymond … right on the zeitgeist, you and the SMH. Not just Tony Abbott leaving Mal’s gang either. Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.
Ouch. Good luck Malcolm Turnbull. It’s going to be a busy weekend. Not another one …
As an ex-Commonwealth public servant, I’m gobsmacked. What the hell did Grech think he was doing? And if he was going to be a cheer squad/mole for the Liberals, why on earth did he think it appropriate to use his work account?
From my understanding of public service values and conventions, what he’s done is a hanging offence.
The Federal Police are supposed to be conducting an enquirey into Grech’s activities, so far a big silence.
Malcolm … I know. The word in my head starts with T.
It is one of those really Big Words that should never be used lightly. So I won’t write it. I’m not brave enough … and as Raymondchurch reminds us, it is subjudice so let’s shut up.
And wait for the wheels to turn. See what they spit out. Be smart, people.
A Senate committe has found “Nothing to see here, move along”. End of discussion. And Erica sails on (with his rump party, to the rocks).
Dr Harvey M Tarvydas
Fabulous stuff BK.
What we are watching is the muck or poop that pops up on the surface when there’s been 10 years of ugly and dirty attempted politicization of the public service. There have been other ugly examples (I think the Federal Police and others in the Qld Dr Haneef case is a particularly ugly one).
The political uglies are nasty in their reaction to any supposed (supposed by them) such event when they don’t profit or see someone else apparently profit because their guilt and style makes them very sensitive to the perceived process.
So when in power and they’re deal with it they express exactly that anger and are the ugly human teaching a lesson.
When the innocent of it pollie deals with it, natural compassion and justice rules will apply, Godwin is lucky.
Psychology, psychology, psychology is everything.
Surely the GG matter is feeding into the leadership spill push.
Also this is damning albeit hearsay of both Rudd and Turnbull and Grech:
“Godwin on good administration and misleading the Prime Minister — to Sinodinos on May 21:
Arthur
There is a very good reason why I am making a special effort for [unnamed car dealer]. The principal is a strong financial donor to to the party and uses her home to hold fund raisers in the seat of ******. MT [Malcolm Turnbull] knows of her (he has in fact been to her house). I have told Rudd in person that she supports Labor and he told me to ensure she is looked after!! Risky on my part but I am enjoying the irony of it!!”
That’s specialist treatment of a Lib donor, thought by PM Rudd (?) to be an ALP donor, bragging by Grech of same biased treatment. This indeed if true is systemic corruption.
So why was this report released at the height of the CPRS fracas in parliament? Stinks.
Also big media were keen to report Grech as a respected honest broker initially. I took them at their word. So big media in the gallery are similarly humiliated in terms of judgement.
What a mess.
AR … as a former Tasmanian, I have often noted how Eric lives up to his surname. He “abets” so much and none of it ever seems to stick to him.
Also started to wonder whether this Godwin matter is subjudice. Am I assuming an investigation is being conducted by the AFP? I would have thought so, because the AFP is not supposed to be directed by politicians … I thought they were a police force. When The Bill think a crime has been committed, they never let the victim’s denials stop them investigating to make sure the law hasn’t been disrespected.
Perhaps I have been watching too much TV?
I recall robbi the Gretch matter was referred to the feds and an initial search was made of his home nd his personal computer removed, with emails found. Not sure where they are at now.
thanks raymond … lurv how you write “gretch” to rhyme with “wretch”. so apt! poor man.
I have consulted the Book of Armaments (as we refer to Google around here). According to a story dated early October, although Mr Grech has resigned from the public service, the AFP are conducting an investigation. They have not pressed charges, however.
So as no charges have been laid, it is not subjudice, as I understand these things. However, the Senate is not allowed to influence the AFP with suggestions that “no harm has been done” and “no crime has been committed”, because that would be a violation of the concept of the Separation of Powers.
Ah, I remember the last politician to make a prat of himself over this concept. Joh! Remember him?
robbi this from the West Australian this afternoon……
GODWIN GRECH’S former employers at the Treasury insist they have resolved probity issues around his dealings with the head of investment banking at Credit Suisse, but Mr Grech remains subject to an Australian Federal Police investigation.
The Treasury has released emails between Mr Grech and Credit Suisse’s John O’Sullivan that appear to show Mr Grech giving Mr O’Sullivan early notice on government contracts and help in negotiating a fee arrangement.
Treasury continues to pursue its own inquiries about whether Mr Grech breached the public service code of conduct. But it also says it is satisfied that it has resolved any probity concerns thrown up by the Grech emails.
I appreciate the wheels of justice turn slowly, but it would appear on the face of it, given the content of the emails released so far, Mr Grech has breached almost all of the Public Service code of ethics and we are not talking about pinching a few pens.
Yeah, Raymond, it’s more than a few pens. That was my particular speciality, I like a good pen.
The Feds always had the best pens. The State Govts were mean by comparison. But anyway, I’ve been pondering, and as always, my best ideas fairies arrive 24 hours late, thus I often cause comments to develop a “comet tail” when the other debaters have moved on …
Do you remember, Ray and Malcolm and everyone else with some public service back story, the introduction of program budgeting? In about 1984, Hawke/Keating said “eat this” to the public service, and it was the imposition of economic rationalism.
Instead of putting a good case for why we needed kit and staff each year, we were instead given an allocation of a set budget and told to live within our means. This was good, we were told, because this is how private enterprise did things. That’s how they made Profits. And Profits are good, they said. So we bowed our heads and ate this.
I do recall my outpost in Burnie did some dreadful things to DAS over their idea of how to manage our request for a 12 seater bus, but that would be telling. Suffice to say, the taxpayer was deeply abused there, but we could not effectively deploy a six seater buzz box either.
Now, a covertly awful thing happened with program budgeting. Our leaders were made to conform to Performance Reviews. Instead of upholding a fine Westminster sort of tradition, they had to act like cold blooded business managers. And thus our public service was corporatised. And suddenly, to get on, one had to be Opportunistic. It used to be okay to have integrity and give frank and fearless advice. But all of a sudden, that changed.
What do you think of that analysis? Am I wrong? Thanks for any feedback.
Robbi64 - on the current SBS series “Law & Disorder” the Cadaver appears (i’m surprised that his image appears on film) and sez, inter other lying alia, “the AFP is NOT subject to political direction..” with the most nauseating shit eating grin.
astonishing what we see on the teeve. i saw a pelican with a bass guitar recently. quite a shock to wake up to that image. anyway … AR … that is wicked observational material and thank you. tell me more of them!
And what if Grech is the tip of an iceberg? This line “I have told Rudd in person that she supports Labor and he told me to ensure she is looked after!!” seems to imply Rudd didn’t find such a thing at all unusual. The senate might just not want to go there, especially with the large number of resignations we’ve heard about under Rudd.
James … at such times … I have heard senior managers cry out “what’s that, over there?”
Dr Harvey, would you confirm for us please, because I think you’ve got your PhD already, that this is the phenomenon psychology calls “displacement”? I could be wrong, but it’s considered an advanced sort of defence mechanism in psychodynamic theory.
ah well, you’ve all gone to more exciting things, so i’ll just mention … species ID error again. the pelican wasn’t a pelican. it was a seagull. a “rat with wings”. for some reason, the series called “Beached Az” shown on the ABC resonates with me deeply. i think it is the horror of the beached whale actually talking.
the final episode finishes when the whale is again stranded, by a crab with an oversized claw. the crab calls this claw “denise” and claims it is his girlfriend. a deluded crab. in the process of helping, the deluded crab snips the rescue rope.
is this a metaphor that aligns with the process i outlined above, about how we were inadvertantly done over by economic rationalism? the process i suggest brings us to a wretch like grech? the crab is our leaders, carrying on about a girlfriend, which is actually their own egos. the egos are so big and so useless, they cause harm where they mean to help. and the whale is once again … unable to swim for itself.
we could get upset at the whale, of course. we could berate the whale for being so useless on dry land. but that might be like getting upset at indigenous australians for not being able to cope with white fella society. mightn’t it?
it’s just a thought, just another passing thought. thanks for reading, if you bothered.
yes, i do know there is a Fight at the playground … see you there …