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Malfeasance in public office

In 2025, Dr Gordon Hughes is Principal Lawyer of Davies Collison Cave's Lawyers Melbourne → https://shorturl.at/L4tbp
Blowing the whistle  

 

If revealing actions that harm others is viewed as morally unacceptable, why do governments encourage their citizens to report such crimes and injustices? This contradiction highlights an essential aspect of civic duty in a democratic society. When individuals bravely expose wrongdoing, they often earn the title of "whistleblower." This term encompasses a complex reality: it represents the honour and integrity that come with standing up for truth and justice while also carrying the burden of stigma and potential personal consequences, such as workplace retaliation or social ostracism.

In this challenging context, a crucial question arises: Should we celebrate and support those who risk their security and reputation to expose misconduct, thereby fostering a culture of accountability and transparency? Or should we condemn their actions, viewing them as threats to stability and order? The answer to this question can significantly influence the ethics of openness within our communities and shape how society values integrity versus conformity. Ultimately, creating an environment that supports whistleblowers may be essential for nurturing a just and equitable society.

During the second interview conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) at my business on 26 September 1994, I provided comprehensive responses to 93 questions about unauthorised surveillance and the threats I encountered from Telstra. The Australian Federal Police Investigation File No/1 includes detailed transcripts of this interview, which extensively address the threats issued by Telstra's arbitration liaison officer, Paul Rumble, and the unlawful interception of my telecommunications and arbitration-related faxes. 

No response was ever received from Ms. Phillipa Smith, Commonwealth Ombudsman, regarding her damning letter dated 25 March 1994, addressed to Frank Blount, the then CEO of Telstra. In that correspondence, she sought clarity on why Telstra deemed it necessary to inform her Director of Investigations, John Wynack, that they required additional time to examine the documents destined for my review, citing the sensitivity of the information and the potential for misuse. This was not just a bureaucratic delay; it was a farcical masquerade, a meticulously orchestrated diversion from the truth.

The chilling question looms large: were the serious allegations of pedophilia—accusations involving the violation of innocent children within the so-called safety of Parliament House, Canberra—the very issues the government sought to shroud in darkness during the arbitration process? Or was it the scandalous misappropriation of Australia’s wheat that they desperately aimed to bury? It’s a disturbing echo of treachery and corruption at the highest levels, where justice was not just delayed but systematically undermined in a sinister game of power and concealment.

As members of the COT Cases, we were thrust into this corrupt arbitration process, wholly unaware of the treachery lurking behind the scenes. The arbitrator enforced a treacherous system designed to minimise Telstra's liability, ensuring that the systemic issues still plaguing our businesses were concealed under a cloak of confidentiality. This cruel arrangement shackled us, silencing our voices and preventing us from addressing the ongoing injustices that the government had assured us would be resolved through this new arbitration process.

Absent Justice - My StoryThe two evidence files, Evidence File-1 and Evidence-File-2, unveil a disturbing and intricate pattern of government corruption as well as bribery and threatening conduct that developed before, during, and after the COT arbitrations. They document how government representatives became deeply entangled in a morally questionable framework that betrayed their public duty. In the shadows, powerful officials formed a clandestine alliance, prioritising their own personal interests and agendas over the well-being of the very citizens they were sworn to serve independently.

This breach of trust not only undermined the citizens’ faith in their government but also severely compromised the transparency and integrity of the investigation into the arbitration claims against Telstra. As a result, the process became tainted, leaving COT claimants marginalised and unheard. The telecommunications infrastructure that Telstra relied upon in these dealings was shrouded in controversy, further raising concerns about accountability and ethical conduct among those in positions of power. The ramifications of this corrupt alliance extend far beyond the immediate arbitration claims, impacting the broader landscape of public trust in government institutions and regulatory agencies.

One particularly shocking incident underscores the depths of this corruption: crucial evidence, which could have illuminated the secret dealings of a government-owned corporation, was willfully and systematically destroyed. This reckless act raises profound concerns about the accountability and transparency that should underpin public governance. Furthermore, during the review of the highly contentious COT Cases, vital information was purposefully redacted from official records, creating a deceptive façade of compliance while obstructing the pursuit of truth. This deliberate manipulation of information allowed the corporation to evade the scrutiny it so richly deserved, escaping the severe consequences of its actions.

Those tasked with examining archived documents found themselves ensnared in a tangled web of suppressed disclosures, navigating a labyrinth specifically designed to thwart the pursuit of justice. This oppressive environment effectively subverts the foundational principles of fairness and public trust, leaving citizens to grapple with a system that betrays their essential rights. The repercussions of these actions extend far beyond mere bureaucratic incompetence; they present a significant threat to the very integrity of democratic institutions.

The relentless tide of corruption and manipulation erodes public confidence. It undermines the societal framework, creating a grim atmosphere where accountability and justice are mere illusions, obscured by layers of deceit. The dark undercurrents of this governmental decay call for urgent and decisive action to dismantle the corrupt machinery and restore the fundamental principles of democracy, ensuring that the rights and voices of citizens are no longer silenced in the shadows of greed and malfeasance.

 

Evidence Files

 

Example 1:  File AS 942 = AS-CAV 923 to 946 

Example 2 : File 34-C = AS-CAV Exhibit 1 to 47

AS-CAV Exhibit 1 to 47 – AS-CAV Exhibit 48-A to 91AS-CAV Exhibit 92 to 127AS-CAV Exhibit 128 to 180AS-CAV Exhibit 181 to 233AS CAV Exhibit 234 to 281AS-CAV Exhibit 282 to 323AS-CAV Exhibit 324-a to 420 AS-CAV Exhibit 421 to 469 – AS-CAV Exhibit 470 to 486AS-CAV Exhibit 488-a to 494-e –AS-CAV Exhibits 495 to 541AS-CAV Exhibits 542-a to 588AS-CAV Exhibits 589 to 647AS-CAV Exhibits 648-a to 700 – AS-CAV Exhibit 765-A to 789 AS-CAV Exhibit 790 to 818AS-CAV Exhibit 819 to 843AS-CAV 923 to 946 – AS-CAV Exhibit 1150 to 1169AS-CAV 1103 to 1132AS-CAV Exhibit 1002 to 1019AS-CAV Exhibit 996 to 1001 – GS-CAV Exhibit 1 to 88 GS-CAV Exhibit 89 to 154-bGS-CAV Exhibit 155 to 215GS-CAV Exhibit 216 to 257GS-CAV Exhibit 258 to 323GS-CAV Exhibit 410-a to 447GS-CAV Exhibit 448 to 458 GS-CAV Exhibit 459 to 489GS-CAV Exhibit 490 to 521 GS-CAV 522 to 580GS-CAV Exhibit 581 to 609

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Download Attachments

Tampering With Evidence File No 1-A to 1-C   Tampering With Evidence File No 2   Tampering With Evidence File No 3   Tampering With Evidence File No 4   Tampering With Evidence File No 5   Tampering With Evidence File No 6   Tampering With Evidence File No 7   Tampering With Evidence File No 9   Tampering With Evidence File No/10   Tampering With Evidence File 11-A to 11-B   Tampering With Evidence File No 13   Tampering With Evidence File No 14   AXE Faulty Equipment

 

Tampering With Evidence File No/12-A to 12-E "...I believe that it should be pointed out to Coopers & Lybrand that unless this report is withdrawn and revised their future in relation to Telecom may be irreparably damaged."

 

To be continued 

Absent Justice Ebook 

Clicking on the front cover of the book "Absent Justice" will take you to → Chapter 1 which explores the dark underbelly of the Telstra government-endorsed arbitration process, marked by bribery, corruption, and deep-seated treachery. It unveils a disturbing alliance where government regulatory agencies colluded with defendants, conspiring to silence any revelations about Telstra’s crumbling network. This sinister collaboration ensured that critical truths were buried, shrouded in secrecy during the government-sanctioned arbitrations. If you find yourself unsettled by what you've read and wish to take a stand against this insidious corruption, consider donating directly to Transparency Internationala bastion against the very practices laid bare in this chilling account.

 

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“…the very large number of persons that had been forced into an arbitration process and have been obliged to settle as a result of the sheer weight that Telstra has brought to bear on them as a consequence where they have faced financial ruin if they did not settle…”

Senator Carr

“I am writing in reference to your article in last Friday’s Herald-Sun (2nd April 1993) about phone difficulties experienced by businesses.

I wish to confirm that I have had problems trying to contact Cape Bridgewater Holiday Camp over the past 2 years.

I also experienced problems while trying to organise our family camp for September this year. On numerous occasions I have rung from both this business number 053 424 675 and also my home number and received no response – a dead line.

I rang around the end of February (1993) and twice was subjected to a piercing noise similar to a fax. I reported this incident to Telstra who got the same noise when testing.”

Cathy Lindsey

“I am writing in reference to your article in last Friday’s Herald-Sun (2nd April 1993) about phone difficulties experienced by businesses.

I wish to confirm that I have had problems trying to contact Cape Bridgewater Holiday Camp over the past 2 years.

I also experienced problems while trying to organise our family camp for September this year. On numerous occasions I have rung from both this business number 053 424 675 and also my home number and received no response – a dead line.

I rang around the end of February (1993) and twice was subjected to a piercing noise similar to a fax. I reported this incident to Telstra who got the same noise when testing.”

Cathy Lindsey

“A number of people seem to be experiencing some or all of the problems which you have outlined to me. …

“I trust that your meeting tomorrow with Senators Alston and Boswell is a profitable one.”

Hon David Hawker MP

“Only I know from personal experience that your story is true, otherwise I would find it difficult to believe. I was amazed and impressed with the thorough, detailed work you have done in your efforts to find justice”

Sister Burke

“…your persistence to bring about improvements to Telecom’s country services. I regret that it was at such a high personal cost.”

The Hon David Hawker MP

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