In December 2008, GEGM Investments Pty Ltd reported to the AEC that it had made the donation to the ALP (NSW Branch) on 7 November 2007. The disclosure was signed by Georgiana (“Georgy”) McCullagh.

In its own disclosure for the 2007-08 reporting year, and the three subsequent amendments (here, here and here) it lodged at later dates, there is no record of the ALP disclosing the donation to the AEC as required by law.

At the time, Commonwealth electoral law required that donations over $10,500 be disclosed.

In December 2010, GEGM Investments donated $100,000 to Richard Torbay,  who is now reportedly the subject of inquiries by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, following the referral of material to it by the Nationals last week.

When the Torbay donation was the subject of disclosure in late 2011, Mrs McCullagh’s husband, Cameron, told the Armidale Express  that Torbay was “highly effective and the sort of person I want in politics”.

Cameron McCullagh told the Express that he had also donated to both the Labor and Liberal Parties.

According to the AEC disclsoure returns, the only record of a reportable donation made by GEGM Investments since 1998-99 is the one made to the Labor Party in 2007. A search of NSW Electoral Funding Authority’s electoral returns from 2007 onwards reveals only the Torbay donation.

It deals in part with Obeid’s association with former Nationals canddiate, Richard Torbay, leading up to the 1999 State Election, through his election as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the plan conceived in desperation to recruit Torbay to the ALP and install him as Premier.

The piece is still a work in progress. What is on the public record are a series of Parliamentary motions and speeches, made by a member of the National Party, The Hon. Melinda Pavey MLC, about some of those links between Obeid and the independents, and in particular, his association with Torbay. These contributions were made whilst Torbay was an independent, prior to his joining The Nationals and winning preselection to take on Tony Windsor in the seat of New England in this year’s election.

Here are a series of excerpts from the notice paper and Hansard:

On 23 May 2006, Pavey gave notice of the following motion:

5. Mrs Pavey to move—

1. That this House notes:

(a) the return of the Honourable Eddie Obeid to political dominance as the chief puppeteer in the NSW Labor Government,

(b) the control the Terrigal sub faction has of the NSW State Government lead by the Honourable Eddie Obeid, with the assistance of the Honourable Michael Costa and his sidekick the Honourable Eric Roozendaal, the Honourable John Hazistergos, the Honourable Joe Tripodi and the elevation of their own, the Honourable Morris Iemma, to the Premiership, and

(c) that since the 2003 State Election, the Honourable Eddie Obeid has not spoken on any legislation before this House and only risen to ask four Dorothy Dixer’s this year,

2. That this House calls on the Honourable Eddie Obeid to explain his conversation with the Mayor of Pittwater, Patricia Giles, that he encouraged her to leave the Christian Democrats Party to run as an independent with Labor Party support in the upcoming Pittwater by-election,

3. That this House further notes:

(a) that the Independent Party Member for Manly, by his silence, has affirmed the serious allegation that the Honourable Eddie Obeid told Patricia Giles if she ran as an independent he could guarantee Labor party support,

(b) the continued close relationship of the Honourable Eddie Obeid as a strategist with the Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay’s Independent Party,

(c) that the Honourable Eddie Obeid was instrumental in Labor’s decision not to run in the Dubbo by-election last November, deserting the local ALP membership and providing back door support to Richard Torbay’s candidate Dawn Fardell,

(d) that Labor support in Dubbo has slumped from 36% in 1984 to 29% in 1991 to 15% in 2003,

(e) that Labor’s support in Tamworth has dropped from 34.9% in 1984 to 15.6% in 1991 to 11.9% in 2003,

(f) that Labor’s support in Northern Tablelands has dropped from 49% in 1984 to 31.6% in 1991 to 4.7% in 2003, and

(g) that Labor’s support in Port Macquarie has dropped from 30.4% in 1984 to 22.5 % in 1991 to 8.4% in 2003.

4. That this House calls on Premier Iemma to have the courage to distance himself from the Honourable Eddie Obeid, despite the enormous debt he owes him, because of the subversive and devious tactics the Honourable Eddie Obeid uses to undermine the democratic process in New South Wales.

On the following day, 24 May 2006:, she spoke immediately after Obeid on the occasion of the Lietenant General’s speech to mark the 150th anniversary of representative government in NSW:

The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY [9.34 p.m.]: Like the Hon. Eddie Obeid, I was pleased to be part of the historic occasion on Monday celebrating 150 years of the oldest legislature in Australia. Coincidentally, I too was moved by the  words by the Lieutenant-Governor about politics and our democracy, and the liberty that we enjoy in our State and country. At this point we should all reflect on the words of the Hon. Murray Gleeson, which were repeated by the Lieutenant-Governor: Politics is what makes a representative democracy work. To despise politics is to despise democracy.

I would argue very strongly that the Hon. Eddie Obeid has done much in this State of New South Wales to make people despise politics and politicians. I am not referring to matters he referred to in the speech he has just delivered; I am referring to the dirty, grubby little deals he does with the so-called Independent members of this Parliament.

[Point of Order taken]

The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY: To the point of order: I was referring to comments made by the Hon. Eddie Obeid in his speech about democracy in this State—that precious thing that we all enjoy. I felt it appropriate to put on the record in the budget reply the Hon. Eddie Obeid’s involvement in the establishment of the “Independent Party” in New South Wales.

[Point of Order taken]

The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY: In relation to liberty and democracy in New South Wales, politics is what makes a representative democracy work. To despise politics is to despise democracy. I believe that in New South Wales there is a very strong undercurrent being perpetrated by members in this place to make people despise politicians and politics by encouraging people of an Independent or so-called Independent persuasion—and I use the example of Richard Torbay, the member for Northern Tablelands, who previously was a member of the Labor Party and is a strong associate of the Hon. Eddie Obeid. The Hon. Eddie Obeid has been instrumental in acting for and giving advice to Richard Torbay, and through Richard Torbay to Dawn Fardell and Peter Draper, all members representing constituencies in regional New South Wales. I contend further that there was evidence during the recent Pittwater by-election that the Hon. Eddie Obeid had considerable involvement with Alex McTaggart—

[Point of Order taken]

The Hon. MELINDA PAVEY: To the point of order: The Lieutenant-Governor’s Speech specifically addressed democracy and the respect that the people of New South Wales must have for the democratic process. I am outlining the situation and the involvement of the Hon. Eddie Obeid with Independent members of Parliament, and it is relevant—

On 11 May 2011, after the election of the Coalition Government (which incidentally saw Pavey take over Obeid’s Legislative Council office with the change in accommodation), she noted the election result in an adjournment speech:

I cannot believe the number of visitors I have had to my office in the past 24 hours—people wanting to look at what was the inner sanctum. They have mostly been interested to see whether there are stains on the walls or carpets. There are no stains. The relationship between Eddie Obeid and Richard Torbay should also be addressed. In some respects that relationship had a positive impact for the Labor Party because it kept the Liberal Party and The Nationals incredibly busy fighting hard contests in many regional seats, not against the Labor Party but against the Independents—and history will record that. Phillip Hanna, who was Richard Torbay’s campaign director, has very strong family connections with Eddie Obeid.

The Labor Party needs to engage in some self-reflection because we need strong political parties in New South Wales. The vote in Northern Tablelands for the Labor Party in 1995 was 36.3 per cent; it is now down to 3.4 per cent. Between 1981 and 1987 Bill McCarthy, a very fine Labor member who had a good standing in the community, held the seat of Northern Tablelands. Labor is now down to 3.4 per cent of the vote from the high watermark when it held the seat, which was lost in a by-election. Labor Party branches throughout the regions have collapsed. The Labor vote in Tamworth is down to 4 per cent and in Port Macquarie it is down to 3 per cent. Yes, the game has been on—and it has involved not just the Hon. Eddie Obeid. The Hon. Tony Kelly, Bob Carr and Eric Roozendaal have also been involved; it was a strategy from the highest level. [Time expired.]

The Ombudsman assumed responsibility for the investigation, since codenamed “Operation Prospect”, in October last year . It arises from an investigation undertaken by the then NSW Police Special Crime and Internal Affairs (SCIA) unit, in conjunction with the Crime Commission and the PIC, known variously as “Operation Florida” (the PIC’s codename) and “Operation Mascot” (the Crime Commission’s codename).

The controversy centres on applications for warrants for listening devices and other surveillance measures, including one warrant naming 114 individuals, including high ranking police officers journalists. Such was the angst caused by subsequent revelations about the scope and purpose of some of the applications that the NSW Police established Strike Force Emblems in 2003 to investigate.

The resulting Emblems report was never publically released despite frequent urgings over the years from the then Opposition and the Police Association.

In May 2012, the Police Minister, Michael Gallacher, referred the Emblems Report to the Inspector of the Police Integrity Commission, David Levine, to determine whether it was possible to release the report.

A series of articles by Neil Mercer in the Sun Herald in June and September 2012 put the Emblems Report and the bitterness it had caused within the ranks of the NSW Police Force back well and truly into the spotlight.

After reviewing the Emblems report, Levine wrote to Gallacher advising:

The report of Strike Force Emblems I have found to be such an abstruse and unsatisfactory internal police document that it is not in the public interest for it, its findings (such as they are) and its recommendations (such as they are) to be made public.

With the utmost respect to those involved in the preparation of the Strike Force Emblems Report it is severely wanting in sound reasoning and logical exposition of investigations said to have been undertaken. Its findings and recommendations on my reading of accompanying internal police communications do not enjoy support or confidence among police commentators of high rank.

In evidence to the Parliamentary Committee on the Ombudsman, the Police Integrity Commission and the Crime Commission in February this year, Levine confirmed his lack of regard for the Emblems report:

The Hon. ADAM SEARLE: … In short, it was such a rubbish document it would have just been embarrassing to the institution if it was made public?

Mr LEVINE: Yes. It was a document so wanting in the requisite qualities to make it public.

In consultation with Levine, Premier Barry O’Farrell announced in October that the matter, and a series of complaints lodged by interested parties, would be referred to the NSW Ombudsman for investigation. Subsequently, legislative amendments were made to give the Ombudsman powers of compulsion over the Crime Commission and the Police Integrity Commission.

Putting a special unit in place, the Ombudsman advised that:

It is anticipated that Operation Prospect will be a protracted and resource intensive investigation … obtaining and analysing a significant volume of records and other evidentiary material and taking evidence in hearings from a potentially large number of witnesses.

Barbour told the Parliamentary Committee that he had obtained $1.5 million to fund Operation Prospect for 2012-3 and had asked for $2 million in the 2013-14 Budget

We have received a grant from the Department of Premier and Cabinet for 2012-13 of approximately $1.57 million for recurrent expenses, $1.168 million for employee-related expenses and approximately $400,000 is for capital expenditure. For 2013-2014 we estimated that we will be seeking just slightly in excess of $2 million in recurrent expenses of which $1.547 million will be employee related.

By way of comparison, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was given a special allocation of $370,000 in the 2012-13 Budget to fund the investigation that forms the basis of its current hearings into former Ministers Ian Macdonald and Eddie Obeid. The top up was granted, in part, because the investigation had been mandated by a Parliamentary resolution.

Making clear his relief at no longer having carriage of the matter, the PIC Inspector, David Levine, informed the Committee that he had been told “anecdotally” that the Ombudsman’s investigation had been allocated 10 investigators and would take two years.

Barbour subsequently told the Parliamentary committee that having required the production of documents, he has already received close to 1,350 boxes of records, with “… hundreds of thousands of pages and tens of thousands of documents and recordings and various other things.“

Unlike comparable investigation by its peer agencies, such as the ICAC and PIC, the Ombudsman will not be holding any hearings in public, being expressly prohibited by its legislation. Therefore, barring any interim reports or unforeseen circumstances, the Ombudsman’s investigation will proceed unobserved until a final report, which might not see light until 2015.

New South Wales: 185.27  (as at 29 June 2012)

(Source: NSW’s Department of Premier and Cabinet releases numbers of Ministerial staff as at the end of June and end of December each year on its website; but has generally not enabled access to previous staffing figures once the most up to date figures are provided.

However, with the most recent release (for 29 June 2012 [Pdf]), the site now, for some reason, also provides the staffing allocation for the final reporting period of the Keneally Government, as at 17 December 2010 [Pdf]).

Victoria: 126 (as at 5 April 2011)

(Source: Answer provided to Questions on Notice, Legislative Council, 28 March 2012, Hansard Extracts, p. 1851 [Pdf])

Queensland: 212 positions, with 194 filled (as at 30 June 2012)

(Source: Queensland’s Department of Premier and Cabinet reports Ministerial Workforce numbers every three months )

South Australia: 107 (as at 2 July 2012)

(Source: The South Australian Government Gazette, 5 July 2012, pp 3011-6 [Pdf]

Inter alia, s. 71  of the Public Sector Act 2009 (SA) states that:

(5) The Premier must cause a report to be prepared not less frequently than once every 12 months setting out with respect to each Minister—
(a) details of the engagement of persons as members of the Minister’s personal staff under this section (other than those described in previous reports under this section); and
(b) the number of persons for the time being employed on the Minister’s personal staff under this section; and
(c) the remuneration and other conditions of employment of each person for the time being employed on the Minister’s personal staff under this section.

(6) A report under subsection (5) must—
(a) be published in the Gazette next issued after its presentation to the Premier; and
(b) be laid before each House of Parliament within 12 sitting days after preparation of the report.

Western Australia: 221.8 (as at “April 2012″)

(Source: Answer given by Director General of WA Department of Premier and Cabinet in answer to a question without notice at Estimates, 29 May 2012, Assembly Hansard “Extract” p. 2 [Pdf]“

The Western Australian Government has also tabled a schedule of Ministerial staffers and their entitlements, as of 26 April 2012 [Pdf])

Tasmania: 99 (as at 7 September 2011)

(Source: Data from response, dated 27 september 2011, from Department of Premier and Cabinet, to a “Right to Information” request [Pdf])

Australian Capital Territory: 40 (in 2011-2); Budget allocation for 36 for 2012-13.

(Source: “Estimated Employment Level” for ACT Executive in Budget Paper No. 4, 2012-13 Budget, p. 15 [Pdf]

Northern Territory: Unable to obtain figures.

Total Reported State and Territory Ministerial Staffers (2011-12): 991.07

In July, Lynn threatened to leave the Government and the Liberal Party to sit on the Upper House crossbench if his wishes regarding local government preselections were not acceded to. After newspaper reports that a “dirt file” would be “unleashed” and following a meeting with Premier Barry O’Farrell, Lynn failed to carry out his threat.

By virtue of his role as Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs and his military experience, notably as a veteran of the Vietnam War, Lynn usually leads for the Government in Upper House debates on matters of a military nature.

This was the case last week when he led debate to mark the deaths of the Australian servicemen killed in Afghanistan within 24 hours over 29 and 30 August.

In a nine paragraph speech that took six minutes to deliver, Lynn:

• cut and paste large sections of Department of Defence media statements issued to announce the servicemen’s deaths,
• recycled material from  a tribute offered to another fallen serviceman by Premier Barry O’Farrell in a tribute in the Parliament in 2011; and
• repeated his own material in the course of the speech.

A speech on 16 August to mark an arts award, sponsored by the NSW RSL, saw virtually all but two paragraphs directly lifted either from a media release from the NSW Department of Education and Communities or from the Australian War Memorial’s website entry on the tradition of the red poppy.

The laziness or carelessness extended to incorporating a photo caption from the War Memorial’s piece into his speech:

At this point, Lynn’s speech reads:

The Roll of Honour is dotted with red poppies. The poppy has also become very popular in wreaths used on Anzac Day. An early instance took place in Palestine, where poppies grow abundantly in the spring.

At the Dawn Service in 1940 each soldier dropped a poppy as he filed past the Stone of Remembrance. A senior Australian officer also laid a wreath of poppies picked from the slopes of Mt Scopus. Poppies adorn the panels of the memorial’s Roll of Honour, placed beside names as a small personal tribute to the memory of a particular person, or to any of the thousands of individuals commemorated there.

In a speech in June of this year to mark the passing of Wally Thompson AO, the Australian Army’s first Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Lynn made unattributed use of large sections of a media statement issued by Australian Army and a eulogy given by Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, the current RSM.

Lynn’s speech relied on Warrant Officer Ashley’s eulogy to such an extent that it had the effect of the Hansard reading as if Lynn claimed to be a Regimental Sergeant Major himself.

Another Parliamentary speech, perhaps less egregious than the other instances in its unattributed recycling, saw Lynn extract material used in a 2009 article he had written in tribute to a friend of his, “Jethro” Thompson.

Lynn’s speech to lead a debate on ANZAC Day earlier this year, where less than 1000 words of a near 2800 word speech was original, was reported here.

Another seven speeches involving the unattributed use of  material from sources available on the internet are documented here.

We must keep the memory of these brave soldiers in our hearts; they have served and testified to the Anzac spirit that forged our nation’s identity.

We must keep the memory of these brave soldiers alive in our hearts. They have served and testified to the Anzac spirit that forged our nation’s identity.

(Premier Barry O’Farrell, Ministerial Statement, “Death of Sapper Rowan Robinson”, NSW Parliamentary Debates, Legislative Assembly, page 2224, 14 June 2011)

Sapper James Thomas Martin was on his first operational deployment as part of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group. He was a Sapper from the Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment. Sapper Martin was an intellectual soldier who was a quick learner and adapted well to the Army environment. He was respected by his mates and was considered a loyal friend and comrade. A musically talented individual, he often played his bass guitar for his mates. He was also an avid follower of Australian Rules football.

Sapper James Thomas Martin was on his first operational deployment as part of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group. He was a Sapper from the Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment.

[...]

Sapper Martin was an intellectual soldier who was a quick learner and adapted well to the Army environment. He was respected by his mates and was considered a loyal friend and comrade. A musically talented individual, he often played his base guitar for his mates. He was also an avid follower of Aussie Rules.

(Department of Defence Statement announcing the death of Sapper James Thomas Martin)

Private Robert Poate was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment [6 RAR] based in Brisbane. Private Poate was known for having outstanding leadership potential, and that led to him completing a promotion course for Corporal in 2011. He will be fondly remembered by his brothers by choice in the 6 RAR as a larrikin and an incredibly professional soldier. Private Poaste had a reputation for creating mischief without getting caught, and was proud of his family, his military service, his Canberra origins, and his red hair, which he vehemently defended as being strawberry blonde.

Private Robert Poate was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), based in Brisbane, Queensland.

[...]

Private Poate was known for having outstanding leadership potential, which led to him completing a promotion course for Corporal in 2011. He will be fondly remembered by his ‘Brothers by Choice’ in 6 RAR as a larrikin and an incredibly professional soldier. Private Poate had a reputation for creating mischief without getting caught, and was proud of his family, his military service, his Canberran origins, and his red hair, which he vehemently defended as being ‘strawberry blonde’.

(Department of Defence Statement announcing the death of Private Robert Hugh Frederick Poate)

Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia in 1982. He joined the Army on 31 May 1999 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australia Regiment, the 1 RAR. On completion of his Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle, Lance Corporal McDonald was posted to the then 4th Battalion, Commando Regiment. Lance Corporal McDonald was quick witted and brought a positive energy to both his unit comrades and all those who served with him. A dedicated and enthusiastic professional solider, he was always willing to come forward with ideas and solutions. He was a highly professional soldier, but his quiet nature and humility meant he always deflected credit back on to fellow members of his company.

Thirty-year old Lance Corporal McDonald was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia in 1982. He joined the Army on 31 May 1999 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR). On completion of his Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle, Lance Corporal McDonald was posted to the then 4th Battalion (Commando), The Royal Australian Regiment, now the 2nd Commando Regiment, in August 2008. Lance Corporal McDonald was on his sixth tour to Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal McDonald was quick witted and brought a positive energy to both his unit comrades and all those who served with him. A dedicated and enthusiastic professional soldier, he was always willing to come forward with ideas and solutions. He was a highly professional soldier, but his quiet nature and humility meant he always deflected credit back on to fellow members of his Company.

(Department of Defence Statement announcing the death of Lance Corporal Mervyn John McDonald)

Private Nathanael Galagher was born in Wee Waa, New South Wales in 1989. He joined the Army on 22 October 2007 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, the 1 RAR. On completion of his selection and training course and reinforcement cycle, Private Galagher was posted to the 2nd Commando Regiment in November 2011. Private Galagher was on his second tour to Afghanistan. Private Galagher always put 110 per cent in everything he did. He had a “can-do” attitude, always wanting to get the job done and taking everything in his stride. He was an enthusiastic young soldier who was very well respected by his mates from the regiment.

Twenty-three year old Private Galagher was born in Wee Waa, New South Wales in 1989.  He joined the Army on 22 October 2007 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR). On completion of his Selection and Training Course and Reinforcement Cycle, Private Galagher was posted to the 2nd Commando Regiment in November 2011.  Private Galagher was on his second tour to Afghanistan

Private Galagher always put in 110% in every thing he did. He had a ‘can-do’ attitude, always wanting to get the job done and taking everything in his stride. He was an enthusiastic, young soldier who was very well respected by his mates from the Regiment.

(Department of Defence Statement announcing the death of Private Nathanael John Aubrey Galagher)

The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN (Parliamentary Secretary) [3.56 p.m.]: The New South Wales RSL Anzac Art Awards were launched last month by Premier Barry O’Farrell at the Department of Education’s Bridge Street headquarters in Sydney. The awards, which are open to all New South Wales school students from years 1 to12, celebrate Anzac values, such as respect and remembrance, in a visual context.

The NSW RSL Anzac Art Awards were launched last month by Premier Barry O’Farrell at the department’s Bridge Street headquarters in Sydney.

Open to all NSW school students from Years 1-12, the long-running art award celebrates Anzac values, such as respect and remembrance, in a visual context.

(Department of Education and Communities Media Release, dated 13 August 2012)

Students are being asked to paint a picture of what the Anzac spirit means. Premier O’Farrell said the web-based project had helped foster modern interpretations through the eyes of this generation of young Australians. The Premier said, “The RSL Art Awards Council has carefully crafted this new scheme to encourage all young people to think about what previous generations of soldiers, sailors and airmen have done to serve and defend this great country of ours.”

Mr O’Farrell said the web-based project had helped foster modern interpretations through the eyes of this generation of young Australians.

“The RSL Art Awards Council has carefully crafted this new scheme to encourage all young people to think about what previous generations of soldiers, sailors and air men have done to serve and defend this great country of ours,” he said.

(Department of Education and Communities Media Release, dated 13 August 2012)

This year’s theme, “The Poppy”, relates to the Flanders poppy, which has long been a part of Remembrance Day and marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918. It is increasingly being used as part of Anzac Day observances. During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers’ folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground. The sight of poppies on the battlefield at Ypres in 1915 moved Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the immortal poem In Flanders Fields:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The Flanders poppy has long been a part of Remembrance Day, the ritual that marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and is also increasingly being used as part of ANZAC Day observances. During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers’ folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground. The sight of poppies on the battlefield at Ypres in 1915 moved Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the poem In Flanders fields (see The recitation)

(“Red Poppies”, article in Australian War Memorial section on Commemorations and Customs)

In English literature of the nineteenth century poppies had symbolised sleep or a state of oblivion; in the literature of the First World War a new, more powerful symbolism was attached to the poppy—the sacrifice of shed blood. Moina Michael, who worked for the United States YMCA, read McCrae’s poem just before the Armistice. She was so moved by it that she wrote a poem in reply and decided to wear a red poppy always as a way of keeping faith, as McCrae had urged in his poem. At a meeting of YMCA secretaries from other countries, held in November 1918, she talked about the poem and her poppies. Anna Guerin, the French YMCA secretary, took the idea further by selling poppies to raise money for widows, orphans and needy veterans and their families.

In English literature of the nineteenth century, poppies had symbolised sleep or a state of oblivion; in the literature of the First World War a new, more powerful symbolism was attached to the poppy – the sacrifice of shed blood.

Moina Michael, who worked for the American YMCA, read McCrae’s poem just before the Armstice. She was so moved by it that she wrote a poem in reply and decided to wear a red poppy always as a way of keeping faith, as McCrae had urged in his poem. At a meeting of YMCA secretaries from other countries, held in November 1918, she talked about the poem and her poppies. Anna Guérin, the French YMCA secretary, took the idea further by selling poppies to raise money for widows, orphans, and needy veterans and their families.

(“Red Poppies”, article in Australian War Memorial section on Commemorations and Customs)

The poppy soon became widely accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance to be worn on Armistice Day. The Australian Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League—the forerunner to the RSL—first sold poppies for Armistice Day in 1921. For this drive, the league imported one million silk poppies, made in French orphanages. Each poppy was sold for a shilling: five pence was donated to a charity for French children, sixpence went to the league’s own welfare work, and one penny went to the league’s national coffers. Today the RSL and Legacy continue to sell poppies on Remembrance Days to raise funds for their welfare work.

The poppy soon became widely accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance to be worn on Armistice Day. The Australian Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League (the forerunner to the RSL) first sold poppies for Armistice Day in 1921. For this drive, the league imported one million silk poppies, made in French orphanages. Each poppy was sold for a shilling: five pence was donated to a charity for French children, six pence went to the League’s own welfare work, and one penny went to the League’s national coffers. Today the RSL continues to sell poppies for Remembrance Day to raise funds for its welfare work.

(“Red Poppies”, article in Australian War Memorial section on Commemorations and Customs)

The Roll of Honour is dotted with red poppies.

Photo caption: The Roll of Honour dotted with red poppies.

(“Red Poppies”, article in Australian War Memorial section on Commemorations and Customs)

The poppy has also become very popular in wreaths used on Anzac Day. An early instance took place in Palestine, where poppies grow abundantly in the spring.

At the Dawn Service in 1940 each soldier dropped a poppy as he filed past the Stone of Remembrance. A senior Australian officer also laid a wreath of poppies picked from the slopes of Mt Scopus.

The poppy has also become very popular in wreaths used on ANZAC Day. An early instance took place in Palestine, where poppies grow abundantly in the spring. At the Dawn Service in 1940 each soldier dropped a poppy as he filed past the Stone of Remembrance. A senior Australian officer also a laid a wreath of poppies picked from the slopes of Mt Scopus.

(“Red Poppies”, article in Australian War Memorial section on Commemorations and Customs)

Poppies adorn the panels of the memorial’s Roll of Honour, placed beside names as a small personal tribute to the memory of a particular person, or to any of the thousands of individuals commemorated there.

Poppies adorn the panels of the Memorial’s Roll of Honour, placed beside names as a small personal tribute to the memory of a particular person, or to any of the thousands of individuals commemorated there.

(“Red Poppies”, article in Australian War Memorial section on Commemorations and Customs)

Today I would like to acknowledge the great work of the New South Wales Division of the RSL, its State President, Mr Don Rowe, OAM, its Communications Manager, Mr Mark Lee, and its members for their efforts in ensuring the legacy of our service men and women and the sacrifices they made are never forgotten. I would also like to congratulate the 2011 winner, Gabriele Picard, from Northern Beaches Secondary College for her insightful artwork in capturing the essence of Remembrance Day.

Competitions such as these are a way of engaging our younger generations to ensure the memories of our fallen soldiers and their legacies live on. I would encourage each and every member to spread the word of this competition to their schools and communities. Details of the competition, which closes on 2 November, can be found on rslanzacartawards.com. I also take this opportunity to thank Gilbert Lee, who is our work experience student for the week. Gilbert is sitting in the President’s gallery today. Gilbert is a fantastic young man with a bright future; he attends Baulkham Hills High School, which is one of our best selective schools in New South Wales. I understand that Gilbert is one of the school’s most outstanding students.

The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN (Parliamentary Secretary) [10.06 p.m.]: I wish to pay tribute to the life of the Australian Army’s first Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Wally Thompson. Wally passed away peacefully at Bankstown Hospital on 19 April 2012. Unfortunately I was in Papua New Guinea at the time of his passing and was unable to pay my final respects to him. Wally commenced his Army service with the Citizen Military Forces in 1950 and was later conscripted into National Service. He enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 1954 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment where he served on operations in the jungles of Malaya.

In 1961 he was posted to the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School as an instructor. On his return to Australia in 1963 he was posted to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment. In 1964 he was amongst our first contingent to be posted to the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam. During his tour of duty he was awarded the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star for action with the 3rd/5th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. On his return to Australia in 1965 he was posted to the Sydney University Regiment. In 1967 he served on the Headquarters 10 Task Force as a Company Sergeant Major. The following year he returned to the 1st Battalion.

In 1968 he returned to Vietnam for his second tour of duty. He was badly wounded in the Battle of Coral, causing him to be returned to Australia. After he recovered from his wounds he was posted to the Battle Wing of the Infantry Centre as the Company Sergeant Major. All infantry soldiers who served in Vietnam were trained at the Infantry Centre and they were well prepared for the action under the watchful eye of their sergeant major. In 1970 he was posted to the 4th Battalion as their Regimental Sergeant Major and returned to Vietnam for his third tour. On his return to Australia in 1973 he was posted to the Jungle Training Centre as their Regimental Sergeant Major. I believe the Battle Efficiency Courses conducted under his watchful eye would have had no equal.

He returned to the Infantry Centre in 1975 and was a proud and deserving recipient of the Order of Australia. In 1979 he was posted to the Army Training Command as the Regimental Sergeant Major. He was later posted to the 1st Brigade at Holsworthy as the Brigade Sergeant Major where I had the honour to serve with him under Brigadier John Sheldrick in 1982. The following year the post of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army was created and Wally Thompson, our most respected and experienced sergeant major, created history by being appointed to the position. He served in this role with distinction until he retired in 1987, after 37 years of loyal service to our nation. Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, the current Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, knew Wally for over 30 years and said that the passing of Wally marked a sad day for the Australian Army and its soldiers:

Wally Thompson was the first Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army. For me, personally, he is a role model. A role model for all Australian soldiers and someone that I look up to in the work I do on a daily basis. His legacy is profound. He was truly a soldier’s soldier.

There is no great accolade a soldier can receive from his peers. The staff club at Kapooka and the Soldier Promotion Centre at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville have been named in his honour. The Army was family to Wally, as it is for most career soldiers. He retained a strong interest in its welfare and was kept busy with invitations to commemorative services, graduation dinners, unit reunions and other special occasions. After a visit to the Soldiers Promotion Centre at Lavarack Barracks in 2005 he said:

I spent most of the day going around and talking to the soldiers at Lavarack, and I know I can say one thing, “We’re in safe hands.” They are very fine young men and women who are a credit to the Army and to Australia.

Wally was a soldier’s soldier and this can be seen through the naming of a staff club at Kapooka and the Soldier Promotion Centre at Lavarack Barracks after an inspirational leader.

Even in retirement, Wally remained engaged with an Army that he grew fond of. Confirming that the Army truly is a family, Wally attended dedication services and graduation dinners among other special occasions.

Indicative of Wally’s unwavering connection to the Army and its soldiers, is a quote attributed to him at the opening of the Soldier Promotion Centre at Lavarack Barracks in 2005.

“I had most of a day going around and talking to the soldiers at Lavarack, and I know I can say one thing, ‘we’re in safe hands.’ They are very fine young men and women who are a credit to the Army and to Australia.”

(“Vale Wally Thompson”, Army Media Statement, April 2012)

The success of an army in battle relies upon the quality of its soldiers. Wally Thompson was one of the greatest of them all, and his memory will be proudly carried on by the soldiers of our army.

The success of an Army in battle relies upon the quality of its soldiers. Wally Thompson was one of the greatest of them all and his memory will be proudly carried on by the soldiers of our Army.

(“Vale Wally Thompson”, Army Media Statement, April 2012)

Warrant Officer Ashley described Wally as a great leader who epitomised the regimental sergeant major. “He seldom gave orders or directions,” said Warrant Officer Ashley. “He didn’t need to. When a soldier was in the wrong, Wally’s mere distant presence would snap him into the right.”

This is a great soldiers’ example of the respect Wally was, and is, held in. Wally led by example, which in our egalitarian army is the most effective form of soldier leadership.

This is a great soldiers’ example of the respect Wally was, and is, held in. Wally led by example, which in our egalitarian Army is the most effective form of soldier leadership.

(Warrant Officer Ashley Eulogy, April 27, 2012)

Wally is a mentor and will remain so for the army’s current crop of regimental sergeant majors, including me. While I met Wally on only a few occasions when we were both in uniform, but more so after Wally retired, Wally’s example had a profound effect on me. Wally was not a “Do this” RSM but a “Do as I do and follow me” example. Wally Thompson taught me and thousands of other soldiers the true value of respect.

Wally is a mentor, and will remain so, for Army’s current crop of RSMs, very much including me. While I met Wally only on a few occasions when we were both in uniform, but more so after Wally retired Wally’s example has a very profound effect on me. Wally was not a ‘do this’ RSM, but a ‘do as I do and follow me’ example.

(Warrant Officer Ashley Eulogy, April 27, 2012)

Wally’s wife, Judith, passed away just last week and was buried yesterday. They are survived by Brett, Scott, Catherine, Elizabeth, 46,500 soldiers and tens of thousands of former soldiers who had the honour to serve under Warrant Officer Class 1 Wally Thompson. Wally was not just an Australian soldier, he is the Australian soldier and the world is a poorer place for his passing. Rest in peace, Wally. Your duty is done and you did us proud.

The thoughts of over 45,000 serving soldiers and tens of thousands of former soldiers are with Wally’s family…

“Wally was not just an Australian soldier. He is the Australian soldier…

“God bless you, Wally. God bless your family. Your duty is done. Rest in peace. Duty first!”

(Extracted from final lines of Warrant Officer Ashley Eulogy, April 27, 2012)

However, one might assume that not even Cameron would be gormless enough in PMQs to quote anyone encumbered with the initials “WTF”. But such a personage was given the honour of a citation in Losers Lounge this past week.

In answer to a question on the impact of the Federal Budget on the Illawarra, the Government’s Mr Everywhere, Minister for Finance and Services, and Minister for the Illawarra, Greg Pearce, cited expressions of opinion regarding the Budget carried in the Illawarra Mercury:

The feeling of neglect in the region is captured in a letter to the editor entitled “Forgotten region”. WTF Nothing writes:

Thanks for nothing, Julia. Clearly it does not pay to be a safe Labor seat. Bring on the next election and lets boot Labor out.

(While he’s the first Minister in the long distinguished history of self government in NSW to utter “WTF” on to the parliamentary record, it will come as no surprise to keen observers of Losers Lounge that the honour of the first usage of “WTF” in Hansard by a Member of Parliament goes to The Hon. Peter Phelps, who managed the feat on the occasion of his very first speech.)

Pearce took the quote from the Illawarra Mercury’s “From the Web” in the print edition on 10 May, which had this:

Forgotten region

There is nothing for the Illawarra region.

After Julia Gillard came down here when BlueScope announced 1000 job loses and said how much she cared for us and that she would not forget us, the budget has nothing for us. Thanks for nothing, Julia. Clearly it does not pay to be a safe Labor seat. Bring on the next election and let’s boot Labor out.

WTF Nothing

The Illawarra Mercury lifted that from the comments page on an item “Budget 2012: Funding Scarce for Illawarra”, which appeared thus:

There is nothing for the illawarra region. After juliar gillard came down here when blue scope announced one thousand job loses and said how much she cared for us that she would not forget us . The budget has nothing for us . Thanks for nothing juliar. Clearly it does not pay to be a safe labour seat. Bring on the next election and lets boot these idiots out.

The author gave his name as “What TF. Nothing”.

For its print edition, the Mercury gave the comment quite a polish: removing the references to “Juliar”, correcting spellings and typos and replacing a reference to “these idiots” with “Labor” (although at this point in time they may quite possibly be accepted synonyms). And attributing the comment to “WTF Nothing”.

I expect Mr Pearce to be soon citing such eminent citizens as I P Freely and Amanda Hugnkiss in support of the cause.

Nearly one third of the 16 speakers on a motion to commemorate ANZAC Day plagiarised material from easily accessible websites to pad out their contributions to the debate.

Of the 12 MLCs who spoke for 5 minutes or more in the Debate, 5 MLCs relied on unattributed or barely acknowledged material from the internet for significant portions of their contributions.

They were The Hon. Charlie Lynn (Lib), The Hon. Lynda Voltz (ALP), The Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones (Lib.), The Hon. Marie Ficarra (Lib), and The Hon. Matthew Mason Cox (Lib).

The two worst offenders by far were Lynn and Voltz – the lead speakers for the Government and the Opposition, who each brought a substantial history of plagiarism in previous Parliamentary speeches to the occasion.

To compound the offence, Lynn is the Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans’ Affairs, whose responsibilities includes representing the Government on commemorative military occasions.

On moving the motion and leading from the Government side, Lynn’s opening was lifted, directly and dishonestly, from a speech given by Dale Stephens, a Royal Australian Navy Captain, to Harvard in 2010, and another given by noted author and journalist Les Carylon at the War Memorial in 2011.

In addition to plagiarising these two speeches, the next substantial portion of Lynn’s speech was devoted to (an attributed) reading of selections from John Curtin’s 1942 address on the Bombing of Darwin.

Accounting for these three speeches, less than 1000 words of Lynn’s near 2800 word speech was original material.

Here I have provided a full extract of Lynn’s speech, with the original source material annotated.

Lynn’s plagiarism on this occasion adds to at least another seven speeches in the Legislative Council for tributes or military commemorative occasions where he has plagiarised speeches, newspaper articles and material from the Australian War Memorial.

The Hon. Sophie Voltz then led the debate for the Opposition. Of her 2600 word speech, barely one tenth of it was original or attributed material.

The entirety of her speech was comprised of an unattributed blog post from the Australian War Memorial website, noting the passing of a distinguished member of the Nursing Corps, and a 2002 Australian War Memorial conference paper on Japanese prisoner of camps in Korea.

While Voltz acknowledges one of the researchers responsible for the latter, there is no indication that she is reading the substance of the conference paper on to the Parliamentary record as her own contribution to the debate.

Indeed, Voltz compounds the injury by not even knowing the gender of the academic  (“ I acknowledge the work of Professor Fran De Groen for his research”) whose work was appropriated for her speech.

And given the time constraints, Voltz was not even able to bring this second part of her speech to a timely finish, leaving a vague and inconclusive summation of the train of events that brought an end to the horrors faced by the prisoners of war who were to be “honoured” by her speech.

Here I have provided a full extract of Voltz’s speech, with the original source material annotated.

While the extent of the plagiarism in subsequent contributions does not approach that evident in the speeches given by Lynn and Voltz, it is nevertheless obvious.

Here are the excerpts from the speeches made by Maclaren-Jones, Ficarra and Mason-Cox that establish the same failure to acknowledge the sources for substantive elements of their speeches.

Like Lynn and Voltz, Ficarra has a documented record of plagiarism in several speeches to Upper House debates.