Authorities dismissed claims that they assisted private businesses in securing lucrative contracts.
The former federal government rejected new allegations that it helped Synergy 360’s clients win major tenders for projects.
Stuart Robert claimed he did not use his previous position as Liberal employment, workforce, skills, small and family business minister to advise his former business partner on how to bid for work.
“I do not know but I cannot recall a single contract he [the former business partner] lined up in Canberra,” the federal member for Fadden said according to Fairfax Media.
Robert claimed he did not personally award tenders and this responsibility rests with the relevant departments, which have their own probity rules.
“I am not part of this, I do not have any ownership of this, [and] I do not have any involvement in this,” he said according to the media outlet.
“Of course [I did] not [help Synergy win contracts] – what a load of rubbish.”
The remarks came after mainstream media published email correspondence between Robert and Synergy dating back to 2017. The exchanges suggest the former minister could have helped the company gain access to previous Defence Minister Peter Dutton and other Morrison government cabinet ministers.
Incumbent Federal Government Services and National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Bill Shorten used parliamentary privilege to release this information, and demand an investigation into suspected corruption.
“I want to say to Australians listening to this the Albanese government believes the job of an MP is to work for constituents, not your former business partners,” he said according to the Procurement and Supply Australasia website.
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