Press - 17 Sept - 31 Dec 2009
POST NEWSPAPERS 12 December 2009
Barnett’s secret Cliffe letter revealed
Campaigners trying to save The Cliffe from demolition say they have finally been sent a copy of a secret letter from Premier Colin Barnett to the Heritage Council of WA.
Brian Waldron, a friend of the Triffids band members who grew up at The Cliffe, said he requested the letter nder Freedomof Information (FOI).
“It was delayed because Cliffe owners Mark and Sharon Creasy objected to its release,” Mr Waldron said.
“Interestingly, it was written after the grievance was raised in Parliament.
“It seems that raising the grievance in Parliament was the first action Mr Barnett, as MP for Cottesloe, took in dealing with this constituent matter.
“I still wonder if Mr Barnett offered, or the Creasys requested, that the matter be raised in Parliament.
“I still can’t think of a third option.
“And after the Creasys’ considerable contributions to the Liberal Party, either option could easily be seen as something more than usual constituent assistance.”
The Creasys have made donations to both major parties.
Both parties voted to approve the removal of The Cliffe’s heritage protection in June last year. Mr Barnett and Labor MP Michelle Roberts, who was Heritage Minister at the time of the removal of The Cliffe from the State Register of Heritage Places, were cleared of misconduct in the de-listing by Parliament’s Procedures and Privileges Committee in September.
The complaint was raised by Mr Waldron, who now lives in Sydney, in a letter to the Corruption and Crime Commission in July.
Last month Mr Waldron received the letter sent by Mr Barnett to the Heritage Council.
Mr Waldron said the letter showed Mr Barnett’s reasons for removing the house from the register were flawed.
In the brief letter Mr Barnett told the council that “at least $2.8 million is required to make it (The Cliffe) safe and habitable”.
Mr Barnett’s other reasons for wanting to remove The Cliffe from the register were:
- The house was not open to the public so people got no benefit from the heritage listing; and
- Mrs Creasy’s legal expenses fighting the listing were more than $220,000.
Mr Waldron said a report by Peppermint Grove council found the house could be repaired for less than $1 million.
He said instead of delisting the house, the Creasys should be forced to repair the property under existing demolition by neglect laws.
POST NEWSPAPERS 5 December 2009 Letters
Castrilli move has me baffled
Brian Waldron
Woolloomooloo, Sydney
Heritage Minster John Castrilli’s attempt at clarity over The Cliffe saga has left me scratching my head.
Try as I might I don’t seem able to convince him that Parliament made its decision to remove the property from the Heritage Register based on the speeches by Premier Colin Barnett, former Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts and Liberal MP Peter Collier.
Each of them said the house was dilapidated beyond repair and that it would cost $2.8 million to “make it safe”.
We now know that that information was incorrect from The Cliffe Future Options Report.
We also now know that the Heritage Council advised against its removal from the list.
A decision based on inaccurate or wrong information is unlikely to be a good one.
Surely the variation between the present public knowledge and the previous speeches in Parliament represent grounds for a request for leave from the Supreme Court?
I also can’t follow Mr Castrilli’s reasoning about Section 73 of the Heritage Act.
The Act gives the minister powers to make judgments about the state of the building and about the concept of “demolition by neglect”.
The Act doesn’t say the compensation must be agreed and “funded” before the minister can exercise his judgment. Indeed, it couldn’t. How could the question of compensation be decided until the minister had made a judgment about the need to acquire a place under Section 73?
I can’t be sure if Mr Castrilli is playing me for a dullard who can easily be bamboozled, or that he doesn’t understand his own responsibilities and authority as the minister responsible for heritage in WA.
The Attorney General doesn’t appear to share my doubts.
POST NEWSPAPERS 28 November 2009- Letters
Shutting Prac makes no sense
Kathryn Abbott
Claremont
Re your report, “Plans to shut Prac” (POST, 14/11), I am disturbed that this has come about without due consultation with the community, even according to the guidelines set out in the School Education Act of 1999. Prac is a century-old school with a rich tradition.
It is remembered fondly, not just by those who sent their children there, or who attended it themselves, but by those involved in teacher training there over many years.
This is the sort of school that can never by replaced. Moreover, it is not a failing school. The children are performing well above average across curricula, and around half of the current Year 4 class has been accepted into the PEAC program for gifted and talented children.
It is a small school, true, but most of its falling numbers in recent times can be attributed to thoughtless comments from ex-staff, and even a principal at another school. Such comments have led to the self-fulfilling prophecy that the school should be shut.
The school is situated on a heritage-listed site.
We could presume, therefore, that there could be little benefit to the government in flogging off the land for a new housing estate.
However, in recent times, heritage listing has not saved significant sites, and, in the case of The Cliffe, the matter was “simply” resolved in favour of the developer by de-listing.
I’m quite sure that many in the community would be outraged if this were to be the outcome for such a glorious school. We need to resist this push, which is occurring all over the country, to close small schools and creating super schools in the process.
It is very short-sighted and takes no account of future population growth. Moreover, it does not consider the extensive research which shows that small schools often provide a superior education, simply by virtue of being small.
Not only do students in such an environment enjoy smaller class sizes, and more attention from teachers, but they are also less likely to face bullying, and any such incidents can be dealt with more effectively by school staff.
Students from smaller primary schools are shown to develop greater resilience and can cope better with the large, daunting secondary school environment.
The grounds and buildings at Prac are in excellent condition, and it would be an extreme waste to lose all the extra works which have occurred recently.
We have seen a rash of public secondary school closures lately, with the ridiculous result that the schools built to replace them are not large enough to cope with the numbers already existing at the older schools, let alone with growing demand.
Shenton College can take only some 1200 students, and the only other school left in the area is Churchlands, which is busting at the seams with some 1800 students.
Why continue this with primary schools?It’s not even guaranteed that these closures will save the government money in the long run.
People who are concerned by this should voice their opposition – loudly.
POST Newspaper 24 October 2009 - Letters
Why extend Cliffe’s Demo Licence?
Brian Waldron
Woolloomooloo, NSW
I was shocked to read, in the minutes for the shire of Peppermint Grove’s September meeting, that an extension to the demolition licence for The Cliffe had been granted.
I can reluctantly accept that the council’s October 2008 meeting may have been guided by Parliament’s decision to remove The Cliffe from the State Heritage Register, but I expected the September 2009 meeting would have been guided by the council’s own Cliffe Future Options Study.
The report from Ian Hocking and Associates found that, unlike the assertion by former Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts and Premier Colin Barnett that the house was dilapidated beyond reason repair, The Cliffe was indeed structurally sound and in good shape for a house of its age.
The findings of the council’s report were more in line with advice Ms Roberts had received from the experts in the Heritage Council, and at odds with the opinions of those within the Parliament.
Shire president Brian Kavanagh was reported in the POST as saying that Parliament got it wrong when it removed The Cliffe from the heritage list.
Given the information that has come to light since the initial council decision in October 2008, I find it hard to accept, as the council has, that:
• There has been no change to the status of the building; and
• As all previous conditions of planning consent have been fully satisfied it would be appropriate for the council to grant further planning consent for the demolition of the building.
What was the purpose of the Hocking Report if not to better inform and improve the council’s decision-making in regard to this historic home?
Why did the council feel obliged to make this decision on September 14, when the owners of The Cliffe hold a demolition licence valid until March 2010?
Was that something to do with the council elections in October?
Why is it acceptable to allow for the demolition of a category 1 building when there are no plans for the redevelopment?
POST Newspaper 3 October 2009 - Letters
Who acted first?
Brian Waldron
Woolloomooloo, NSW
When a politician’s advocacy on behalf of a constituent has a significant impact on the community, that constituent matter can no longer be considered private.
When Premier Colin Barnett introduced the motion in Parliament to remove The Cliffe from the state heritage register he made it a public matter.
As he said in Parliament: “I know it would be a precedent to have a site removed from the heritage list.”
Precedent creates practice, and Mr Barnett owes it to any disgruntled heritage owners to explain how the heritage register will be managed from here on.
The Cliffe case established the precedent and the question Mr Barnett needs to answer is this: Did Cliffe owner Mark Creasy ask him to introduce a motion into Parliament to have the property removed from the heritage register, or did Mr Barnett offer to do it?
I can’t think of a third option.
Anyone who owns a heritage-listed property they no longer want included on the register will surely want to know if they should contact their MP and ask to have it removed, or make their case known to the MP and wait for he or she to offer to get it off the register.
Mr Barnett has made statements about The Cliffe “in the interests of openness and accountability, principles upon which this government was elected and which I stand by wholeheartedly”, as he put it.
So I feel sure he will happily enlighten us about these changed arrangements for heritage management in WA.
WA Business News 1 October 2009
Freedom Eye changes course to uranium
BY REBECCA LAWSON
The Russell Barnett-chaired pharmaceutical company Freedom Eye is set to become a uranium player after it agreed to acquire a project near Meekatharra from Empire Resources.
The Bentley-based Freedom Eye will acquire the Yarlarweelor uranium project, 125 kilometres north of Meekatharra, in an all-scrip deal where Empire will emerge with an initial 40 per cent stake in the company.
Empire’s shareholdiing will then be reduced to 30 per cent following a consolidation of Freedom’s 577 million shares currently on issue.
Also under the deal is consideration for a $1 million capital raising by Freedom either through a share purchase plan or rights issue, with funds to further exploration work at the project and other possible project acquisitions.
The make-up of the board will also be altered with Mr Barnett to remain while Freedom directors Grant Bennett and David Sparling to resign.
Empire managing director David Sargeant and executive director Adrian Jessup will join the Freedom board.
Freedom said on successful completion of due diligence on the deal, shareholders will be asked to approve the deal along with a name change to better reflect the company's new direction.
Freedom Eye’s profile was unwittingly lifted recently after Mr Barnett became involved in his father’s, Premier Colin Barnett, Corruption and Crime Commission compliant over the removal of Peppermint Grove property, The Cliffe, from the state heritage list.
ABC TV State Line WA transcript 18 September 2009 (edited)
Last Look At The Week
Reporter: Frances Bell
Time now for a look back at the week and I'm joined by one of the state's best known foodies, restaurateur Kate Lamont, and political editor of The West Australian, Robert Taylor.
FRANCES BELL: We also heard this week that the Premier's - the allegations against the Premier of serious misconduct turned out to be end up being pretty much nothing.
ROBERT TAYLOR: Well they were always going to be nothing, quite frankly and I think the Premier had every right to say that right from the start. He sort of got himself in a bit of a tangle because he had to announce it and then he didn't like people reporting it which was bit silly. But he was so angry, wasn't he? H
e was angry because it dragged his son in and they were so frivolous and they came from sort of an area that he thought was frivolous and were proven - the Privileges Committee at least agreed with him and it's just one of those bizarre stories that didn't look good for him. But in the end it ended up to be nothing.
FRANCES BELL: Of course he said from the start that it was always about the band, The Triffids. Kate, when, in the general when you hear a Premier making an announcement about serious misconduct allegations against him, do people take these sorts of things seriously or do you look at the character of a person and their, I guess their...?
KATE LAMONT: I just think Robert's point frivolous is kind of right. I think voters hate wasting time on this kind of stuff. Let's get on with the big stuff. I mean there's a lot happening and let's stop wasting our time on this kind of irrelevant business.
ROBERT TAYLOR: It sort of shows a flaw in the system, doesn't it, where if someone can make those sort of allegations, draw these very long bows and threads together and then we have to have inquiries into it, the Premier has to be sort of, I guess, you know, subject to those sorts of allegation and we all have to pay attention for it for so long.
KATE LAMONT: And it was a ridiculous waste of time.
FRANCES BELL: Kate Lamont and Robert Taylor, thanks for joining us.
ROBERT TAYLOR: Thanks Fran.
KATE LAMONT: Thank you.
WAtoday.com.au 25 September 2009
No apology to 'bully' Barnett
BY CHALPAT SONTI
One of the men who complained to the Corruption and Crime Commission over Colin Barnett’s incolvement in removing historic Peppermint Grove house The Cliffe from the heritage register says the Premier won't be getting the apology he demanded.
Bleddyn Butcher, an expert on the home's most famous occupants, instead lashed out at Mr Barnett, calling him a 'bully" who could hand out abuse, but not take it.
Mr Barnett, his son Russell and former Labor heritage minister Michelle Roberts were last week cleared by Parliament's procedure and privileges committee of any wrongdoing over the 2007 decision to remove the property - formerly home to members of legendary rock band The Triffids - from the state register of heritage places.
The complaint was lodged by Sydney-based Brian Waldron and Mr Butcher, who claimed Colin Barnett was partly motivated to move the motion in the Legislative Assembly in order to advance the interests of his son, who became chairman of publicly-listed company Freedom Eye.
That company's largest shareholder, mining prospector Mark Creasy, owns The Cliffe.
Mr Waldron and Mr Butcher also claimed Ms Roberts acted in response to a threat from Mr Creasy that he would force the State Government to buy the property for $20 million after allowing it to fall into disrepair, and that Ms Roberts and Colin Barnett had colluded on the matter.
The privileges committee dismissed the claims - referred to Parliament by the CCC - saying the complainants had not produced any evidence to back their claims.
That led to calls from Colin and Russell Barnett for public apologies, while the Premier's son said he was considering legal action over the claims.
But Mr Butcher told Watoady.com.au that "you can safely conclude that I will not be making any sort of apology to (Colin Barnett)".
"Quite what he imagines I might apologise for, I don't know. Am I sorry that a formal request for an independent investigation into an exceedingly murky business has been turned into a legal charade?"
The process of investigation - where a parliamentary committee handled the matter instead of the CCC - was a "whitewash", Mr Butcher said.
"I don't believe the (committee's) report exonerates Mr Barnett or... Ms Roberts. It would have to investigate the complaint before it could do that.
"That's investigate as in 'look into and examine in order to obtain the true facts', not investigate as in spin."
Mr Barnett had heaped abuse on the complainants, calling them "malicious, even criminal", and groupies of The Triffids. Mr Butcher has written extensively about the band, but earlier pointed out they were never mentioned in the complaint.
"The idea that the Premier of WA is some sort of victim is laughable. He's a bully. he can dish it out but he can't take it himself," Mr Butcher said.
The WEST AUSTRALIAN 18 September 2009
Barnett demands apology
over Cliffe affair
BY ROBERT TAYLOR
Premier Colin Barnett has demanded an apology from the Labor Opposition and Sydney’s Brian Waldron after a parliamentary inquiry cleared him of any wrongdoing in the dispute over historic Peppermint Grove property The Cliffe.
Mr Waldron has claimed that Mr Barnett tried to boost his son Russell’s business career by lobbying to have the 110-year-old house removed from the heritage register because it was owned by mining entrepreneur Mark Creasy, the major shareholder in a company chaired by Russell Barnett.
Mr Waldron also alleged to the Corruption and Crime Commission that former Labor heritage minister Michelle Roberts deliberately provided false information to Parliament during debate on the motion moved by Mr Barnett.
The CCC passed the allegations on to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and parliament decided to refer them for investigation to the powerful privileges committee, which yesterday found there was no evidence to sustain any of Mr Waldron’s claims.
Mr Barnett said that the claims were “vexatious, vindictive and blatantly false”.
“There was no substance to them at all, as I said when I first became aware of them,” he said.
“And what I find particularly objectionable was those allegations related not only to myself, I at least am a public figure, they related to my adult son and his business associates.
“These allegations were outrageous, they were fanciful and I’m disappointed that the Parliament and indeed the West Australian media gave them any credibility at all.
“There is a responsibility on everyone to examine matters before you give them airplay and threat them seriously.
“I do expect Eric Ripper and the Labor Opposition to issue and unreserved apology for pursuing this in the Parliament, for wasting public resources and for giving credibility to what I think were clearly and obviously false allegations.”
Mr Ripper said once the allegations were passed to the Parliament by the CCC, members of the Parliament had an obligation to ensure they were seen to be dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Ms Roberts said she was disappointed the allegations were made but said it was appropriate for the privileges committee to deal with them.
Russell Barnett and Brian Waldron did not return calls.
The WEST AUSTRALIAN 18 September 2009
Allegations false but political mud sticks
Political Sketch BY ROBERT TAYLOR
Spurious allegations aimed at both sides of politics git bowled over in State Parliament yesterday, but the damage had probably already been done.
Bizarre claims by Triffids’ fan Brian Waldron about Colin Barnett’s motives for wanting historic Peppermint Grove pile The Cliffe removed from the State’s heritage register were given short shrift by the powerful privileges committee.
And Christian Porter’s politically7 motivated attack on Labor MP John Hyde’s proceeds of crime committee was exposed as deeply flawed although the Attorney-General was reluctant to admit it.
Mr Waldron strung together one of the all-time great conspiracy theories and sent it off to the Corruption and Crime Commission. The CCC handballed it straight up the Hill because it involved statements made in the Legislative Assembly.
That piece of adroit buck-passing insured Waldron’s claims would almost certainly grab a headline en route to the privileges committee.
Mr Barnett himself first revealed the complaint to the media and has since complained bitterly about how the media have reported it. Now that he can resume his role as the Minister responsible for the CCC, Mr Barnett should ask how come an agency funded to the tune of $120 million a year to find corruption in the public service can’t spot a load of old cobblers when it’s dished up.
Mr Porter might have some empathy for Mr Waldron. Back in June the Attorney-General used an internal department audit of the confiscation proceeds accounts committee to claim Mr Hyde had directed most of $10 million in funds to Labor areas.
But the Labor-dominated public accounts committee yesterday produced a report which clearly showed that the audit never mentioned Mr Hyde and did not raise and concerns regarding the funds.
The Liberal members on the committee disagreed and backed Mr Porter’s earlier assertions but the majority committee found “no evidence” that the CPAA took political factors into account when distributing the money.
Don’t forget that while Mr Hyde was the chairman, the other members were public servants and police officers with no overt political affiliations.
Mr Porter yesterday studiously avoided making the same allegations he made back in June and concentrated his attack on deficiencies in minute-keeping, which was hardly going to receive the same coverage. But like Mr Waldron, he got his headline.
PERTH NOW online 17 September 2009
Colin Barnett demands apology
over Cliffe accusation
Article from: AAP
PREMIER Colin Barnett is demanding an apology from a fan of The Triffids after being cleared of wrongdoing over the withdrawal of the band's former home from the heritage register.
Mr Barnett and former Labor heritage minister Michelle Roberts were named in a complaint to the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) over the withdrawal from the heritage list of The Cliffe, a Peppermint Grove residence in the premier's Cottesloe electorate.
The CCC referred the matter to the lower house parliamentary privileges committee which, today, reported that neither Mr Barnett nor Ms Roberts were guilty of any wrongdoing.
The Cliffe was the childhood home of two members of 80s rock band The Triffids - the late Dave McComb and his brother Robert McComb - and was the band's meeting place.
Millionaire prospector Mark Creasy is the property's current owner and a shareholder of a company called Freedom Eye, which is chaired by Mr Barnett's son Russell Barnett.
In July, Sydney public servant Brian Waldron lodged the complaint with the CCC over the home's heritage delisting, saying ``something a bit crook may have been involved with these arrangements''.
Mr Barnett today demanded an unreserved apology from Mr Waldron for what he said were ``vexatious, vindictive and false allegations'', and from the Labor opposition for supporting them.
"What I find particularly objectionable is that (the allegations) related to my adult son ... it's affected his business standing and his reputation,'' he told reporters.
"This was a gross abuse ... to have made such fabricated, false and vexatious allegations. They were outrageous.
"It is very serious to accuse a person of corrupt behaviour and I hope there are implications down the track.''
Mr Barnett said he would leave the matter to rest "at this stage'' but wanted an unreserved apology from Opposition Leader Eric Ripper for pursuing the issue in parliament.
He said the CCC, in referring the complaint to a parliamentary privileges committee, had already shown it gave it no credibility.
Mr Barnett has claimed in the past that Mr Waldron is a "Triffids groupie'' and that the complaint was "all about The Triffids'' rather than the "dilapidated'' house.
"The people who are promoting this are not the people who care about the heritage value of The Cliffe,'' he told parliament after the complaint was lodged.
"The people promoting this are the friends and supporters and fans of the Triffids.''
Reader’s Comments:
Wherever you go in Europe, older houses have plaques on them stating where great and influential people were born, lived and worked, died. To lose the connections to the past by the develop mentality is to degrade the contributions of those who came before us. WA is losing this with the express approval of Colin Barnett.
Posted by: Steve of Boorlo 3:25pm September 23, 2009
Comment 20 of 20
History IS a great teacher... and you're right on. This kind of selfish idiotic destruction of heritage property needs to be dealt with in much more serious ways. Our city is cheapened and degraded by such actions. They commit a crime against us all.
Posted by: Todd of Perth 11:39am September 21, 2009
Comment 19 of 20
Hey, Ryan of comment #16, doubtless the Nazis thought the same just before they burned down the Reichstag in 1933. There appears to have been at least 4 separate national committees on heritage who disagree with your ill considered remarks. And THAT is precisely the point. The purchaser MUST have been aware of it's status when buying the property. To have let it's condition run down to such an extent as to even supposedly justify it's de-listing and destruction is, in my opinion, tantamount to criminal behaviour. The rest of the information about rock groups etc is just so much persiflage. I've seen property developers in the past forced to rebuild what they thought they could conveniently and inadvertently destroy. Why should this person be any different?
Posted by: History is a great teacher of Cannington 12:30am September 21, 2009
Comment 18 of 20
I know of a 15 year old boy who was wrongly locked up for 12 months for a crime he didn't commit. He wasn't even found guilty but still served time. His family lost a fortune defending him, they had their good name and reputation dragged through the mud. There are those who will probably think he is still guilty despite all the evidence. No one has compensated that boy nor his family, no one from the government has contacted them to apologise for the terrible miscarriage of justice. When asked about it in parliament, the then Attorney General used parliamentary privilege to further attack that boy even though he had been found innocent. No apologies were forthcoming. They should try treating their own electorate will a little less contempt and maybe they might start getting some respect in return.
Posted by: Stand Up For Your Rights of Kelmscott 12:19am September 21, 2009
Comment 17 of 20
E.Blair, I have the first 2.4L Lancer in Perth, should it be heritage listed? There is history and community relevance to His Majesty's Theatre, Freo Train station etc. This is just a house with some fancy claims. Its not like anyone of import lived there at a special time. Who cares if its the oldest in a yuppy suburb, or the biggest made of Jarrah. Thats not heritage, thats just minor trivia. Heritage needs to be about culture. If the place burned down, no one would be the worse off for it in any cultural or genuine historic sense, except for some odd fans of a band that wasn't any good then or now. Its not like its the Roundhouse or John Curtain's house. I have friends who inherited a house in Cott, rather big and well known and was terribly run down - unsafe to live in. They couldn't scrap it or anything at all, it had to be restored or nothing. Couldn't make a single modern improvement beyond an RCD switch, how is that fair?
Posted by: Ryan of Perth 1:18am September 19, 2009
Comment 16 of 20
Well Said ERICK of ??
Posted by: simmo of aveley 5:48pm September 18, 2009
Comment 15 of 20
I should of put money on that you get let off. So where is this open and honest govt you tolled us about? Posted by: Ron of Corrigin of 5:48pm September 18, 2009 Comment 14 of 20 Oh shut the EFF up Colin and be grateful that, once again, you've managed to pay off who you needed to and pull the wool over the public's eyes yet again.
Posted by: Realist of 1:24pm September 18, 2009
Comment 13 of 20
Ryan of Perth - Let me guess if it was left up to you we would knock down His Majesty's Theater, Fremantle Station and Midland Townhall? Your 'progressive' thinking is sooo enlightening...The Cliffe is the oldest building in Peppermint Grove, its the largest house ever built of Jarrah, it was originally a display home and was designed by J.Talbot Hobbs an Australian General from WW1, Hobbs also designed the Weld Club building and various other historic buildings in Perth. Its like knocking down a Harry Seidler building, but worse, cause' its twice as old and completely unpatriotic. The Building was registered with the National Trust in '84, the Register of the National Estate in '92 and placed on the State Register of National Places in 05'. Any claim that the purchaser of the property had no understanding of its heritage value prior to purchase is ridiculous in the least. So what if Parliament cleared Sputnik, he still deserves our contempt for removing The Cliffe from the register in the first place.
Posted by: E.Blair of Ping1pong 1:04pm September 18, 2009
Comment 12 of 20
The Triffids weren't any good, thats why they faded from memory until this was brought up. Anything that gets old dumps off the heritage list is a public service. Well done Colin!
Posted by: Ryan of Perth 11:51am September 18, 2009
Comment 11 of 20
Again without all the facts at hand it is only a stab in the dark to comment . However {lol}to me it would seem that the property was heritage listed , now its not ,and there is no explanation or reasons offered from the Heritage Council . Why not?The matter was referred to the CCC and was not dealt with there ,again there is no explanation for the decision . All we really have is Mr Barnetts quotes reflecting his stance . Was that the point of the story?
Posted by: erik of 11:36am September 18, 2009
Comment 10 of 20
Lots of great Australian bands have come out of Perth, besides the Triffids, so why is this particlular house so important. Is it just the fact that it has something to with Colin Barnetts son?
Posted by: rosco of rocko 11:24am September 18, 2009
Comment 9 of 20
Every time Barnett opens his mouth he becomes just that little bit more dislikable.
Posted by: Peter of Bayswater 10:55am September 18, 2009
Comment 8 of 20
Gee, the colleagues of these two pollies found them "not guilty", what a surprise ! The Cliffe should have remained on the register. The fact that it is no longer registered is a disgrace and a direct result of political interference. This is a classic example of favours for mates.
Posted by: lofty of Perth 9:03am September 18, 2009
Comment 7 of 20
Hey Barny why didn't you use the BUZZ word COMPENSATION instead of Sorry
Posted by: simmo of aveley 8:48am September 18, 2009
Comment 6 of 20
Colin, All he did was say "hey this looks a bit suspicious" and then forwarded his concern to the relevant authority. didn't you appreciate the sterotypal profiling (Rich white middle aged male politician... must be corrupt) The guys with the beards who always gets screened at customs or the bogans who gets pulled over by the cops for driving a kingswood don't get apologies. Don't be too precious you are afterall replaceable...... Wheres my apology from the voters of WA who voted for this clown
Posted by: Geoff of Perth 12:35am September 18, 2009
Comment 5 of 20
Removal from the register would have improved the value considerably. Looks all a bit to cosy from the outsiders view. Even without doing anything wrong, it smells.
Posted by: Steve of Ankara, Turkey 10:43pm September 17, 2009
Comment 4 of 20
If the police can prosecute someone for wasting their time, surely there's a civil law which the Parliament can use to pursue those behind this baseless and without merit corruption farce. I don't mind people complaining about Parliamentarians, but when its baseless rubbish like this which takes away from their already limited time to do their job for the people they need a public naming, shaming and kicking all the way from the Barracks Arch down to Council House. I'm already polishing my steel capped boots, who's with me!
Posted by: Michael H of Joondalup, WA 10:37pm September 17, 2009
Comment 3 of 20
Do we expect the homes of other Australian entertainers, some significanlty more important to the development of Aussie music to be heritage listed? What about Men at Work, Cold Chisel, Hoodoo Gurus, Nick Cave, Bee Gees as American ala Barry Manilow, AC/DC, John Farnham, and Rolf Harris. Only homes of heritage value should be heritage listed, and this one was not, the Premier was right.
Posted by: Chris of Rockingham 10:35pm September 17, 2009
Comment 2 of 20
Dont opologies, he does not deserve it. He still pushed it quickly through parlament so no one would question it. We all still think its wrong.
Posted by: shaun of perth 10:30pm September 17, 2009
Comment 1 of 20
WAToday On–line 18 September 2009
Premier's son considers legal action
BY CHALPAT SONTI
Colin Barnett and his son have demanded an apology from the men who accused them of acting corruptly in the delisting of The Cliffe from the register of heritage places. They made the call following yesterday’s decision by Parliament's procedure and privileges committee to clear both men, and Labor MP and former heritage minister Michelle Roberts, of any impropriety in the matter.
The trio had been the subject of complaints to the Corruption and Crime Commission from Brian Waldron and Bleddyn Butcher, supporters of the historic Peppermint Grove home that was once home to members of seminal rock band The Triffids.
Mr Waldron and Mr Butcher claimed Colin and Russell Barnett and Ms Roberts had acted corruptly in events leading up to the removal of The Cliffe from the register in May last year. The CCC forwarded the complaint to Parliament.
They claimed Colin Barnett, who moved a motion in Parliament that started the process after being approached by constituent and mining prospector Mark Creasy, partly did so to advance the interests of Russell Barnett, who is the chairman of Freedom Eye, a company in which Mr Creasy is the largest shareholder.
Russell Barnett told WAtoday.com.au that he was considering legal action. Colin Barnett said the claims were "outrageous, fabricated, false allegations" and he wanted an "unreserved public apology" from both Mr Waldron and the Labor Party, which he said had promoted them.
"From day one, this issue wated the time of the CCC and the parliament," he said.
"It has been from day one a gross, gross abuse of the right of any citizen (to make a complaint to the CCC)."
He ruled out any legal action on his part, given that he was a public figure, but said his son had been affected professionally. Russell Barnett said it was hard to quantify what effect the claims had on his standing in the business world, but "at the very least" Mr Waldron should publicly apologise to him.
He had never even met Mr Creasy, but that might change soon. "I plan to, very shortly," he said.
Mr Waldron and Mr Butcher have been contacted for comment.
The Australian 18 September 2009
Easily Dismissed
BY JAMES JEFFREY
Brian Waldron, the public servant who raised hell in his passionate advocacy for the childhood home of the Triffids’ singer-songwriter Dave McComb, has been lashed in the West Australian parliament for making an ill-researched allegations against Liberal Premier Colin Barnett and Labor’s former heritage minister Michelle Roberts. Waldron’s assertion that there could be something smelly about the parliament’s decision to strip The Cliffe of its heritage protection has never been backed up by evidence, and few were surprised yesterday when parliament’s powerful privileges committee dismissed his complaint as unfounded. But the committee’s report did contain a surprise for McComb’s father Harold; on page 11, it casually asserts that he has been dead since 1995. McComb the elder, is 85, fit and busy.
WAToday On–line 17 September 2009
Barnett cleared over Cliffe allegations
BY CHALPAT SONTI
Colin Barnett has been cleared of any impropriety over his conduct surrounding controversial Peppermint Grove heritage mansion The Cliffe.
Mr Barnett and Labor MP Michelle Roberts, the former Labor heritage minister, have been cleared by Parliament's procedures and privileges committee over the removal of The Cliffe from the State register of heritage places.
The pair had been subject of a complaint to the Corruption and Crime Commission over the way the property, formerly home to members of iconic rock band The Triffids, was removed from the list. The matter was then referred to the parliamentary committee. Mr Barnett, then an Opposition backbencher, initially moved a motion to remove the property after being approached by his Cottesloe electorate constituent, well-known millionaire prospector Mark Creasy.
Sydney-based Brian Waldron claimed Mr Barnett was motivated to do so because of financial inducements from Mr Creasy and because his son, Russell Barnett, was the chairman of a publicly-listed company Freedom Eye, in which Mr Creasy was the largest shareholder.
Mr Waldron also claimed Ms Roberts acted in response to a threat from Mr Creasy that he would force the State Government to buy the property for $20 million after allowing it to fall into disrepair, and that Ms Roberts and Mr Barnett had colluded on the matter. But the parliamentary committee, in a finding tabled this morning, dismissed the claims.
Labor MP Fran Logan said neither Mr Waldron nor fellow complainant Bleddyn Butcher had produced any evidence at all to show any corrupt behaviour by Mr Barnett and Ms Roberts.
The complainants had argued "it was fair to assume" wrongdoing had occurred. Russell Barnett had also been denigrated by the claims as he had no knowledge of the controversy.
ABC News On-line 17 September 2009
No evidence of misconduct: Premier
State Parliament's Procedure and Privileges Committee has dismissed allegations of serious misconduct against the Premier Colin Barnett.
Sydney man Brian Waldron accused Mr Barnett and the former Labor minister Michelle Roberts of misconduct for seeking to remove the heritage listing of a property in Peppermint Grove known as The Cliffe.
The matter was referred to the committee for investigation but it found there was no evidence to back up the allegations.
Mr Barnett has called on Mr Waldron to make an unreserved public apology.
WA Business News 17 September 2009
Barnett cleared in Cliffe saga
BY REBECCA LAWSON
Premier Colin Barnett says he will not take any legal action after a parliamentary committee cleared him of any wrong doing over the removal of a Peppermint Grove property from the state's heritage list.
Mr Barnett today told reporters that the parliamentary privileges committee had concluded there was no evidence to back up the false allegations.
In July, Mr Barnett revealed a complaint had been lodged against him with the Corruption and Crime Commission over alleged misconduct for the removal of "The Cliffe" property from the state heritage register some years ago.
The property, owned by mining prospector Mark Creasy, was once the home to members of rock band The Triffids.
The complaint, lodged by Sydney man Brian Waldron, alleged that Mr Barnett was motivated to remove the property from the heritage list because his son, Russell, was the chairman of ASX-listed company Freedom Eye, in which Mr Creasy is a major shareholder.
Opposition member Michelle Roberts was also the subject of the parliamentary investigation as she was the then heritage minister. Ms Roberts has also been cleared by the parliamentary committee.
Mr Barnett has continuously said the allegations were false and today reiterated that comment and added that the whole issue was a waste of taxpayers' money.
"The allegations made against myself, by some and other parties implied there was gross misconduct, and in fact corruption had taken place," Mr Barnett said.
"The parliamentary privileges committee has examined that and in its five conclusions, made it very clear there was no evidence to back up the false allegations that where clearly made by Brian Waldron of Sydney.
"I call on him to make an unreserved public apology for the allegations he has made.
"I do expect Eric Ripper and the Labor opposition to issue an unreserved apology for pursuing this in the parliament, for wasting public resources and for giving credibility to these false allegations."
Mr Barnett added that he will not be taking any legal action however could not say whether his son would.
