Kevin Rudd
From Lobbyocracy.org.au
Kevin Rudd is Australian Prime Minister
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Involvement with Brian Burke
Kevin Rudd has admitted to meeting with controversial lobbyist and former WA premier Brian Burke at the request of friend and WA federal backbencher Graham Edwards who is also close to Mr Burke.[1]
In August 2004, while Kevin Rudd was staying in Perth with WA federal backbencher Graham Edwards they dined at Perugino, which is known to be Brian Burke's favourite eatery. Mr Burke was present, Rudd and Edwards dined with him rising doubt about how much of a coincidence this was. Mr Burke had breakfast at Mr Edward's place in May 2005 while Mr Rudd was staying with him. Rudd also had coffee with Burke in November 2005. At the time, then WA Premier Alan Carpenter had banned all state MPs from any contact with Burke - something Mr Rudd denies any knowledge of.[1][1]
Later in 2005 Brian Burke had offered to set up a dinner with Kevin Rudd and some journalists but Rudd had declined the offer.[1]
It has been suggested that Kevin Rudd met with Brian Burke to assist him in getting the numbers together for a challenge on then federal opposition leader Kim Beazley.[1]
John Grant
During the 2007 Federal Election, [[Kevin Rudd] was supplied with a ute worth about $5000 by John Grant Motors for use in his electorate. A one day inquiry was called by shadow industry minister Eric Abetz and supported by the Greens to determine if John Grant Motors had received any favourable treatment under the government's OzCar scheme which gives car dealers and their lenders access to government-backed finance.[1]
During the inquiry, treasury official Godwin Grech, claimed the [[Kevin Rudd]'s office had intervened on behalf of John Grant of John Grant Motors. There is an alleged email from one of Rudd's economic advisors, Andrew Charlton to Treasury asking for assistance for Mr Grant.[1]
However, as the saga unraveled it became apparent that Godwin Grech was a Liberal Party 'mole' who was leaking information and was known to opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull.[1] The alleged email that was sent from the Prime Ministers Office asking for special assistant to be given to John Grant was a forgery and had in fact been created by Godwin Grech.[1]
Shortly after the John Grant affair, Kevin Rudd faced allegations that he had lobbied for a whitegoods company Aussie Rent owned by John Grant and controversial Queensland property developer George Cheihk. So far Rudd has said that he would have to check is records and his office stated that "all of Mr Rudd's interactions with Me Grant have been entirely appropriate."[1]
There are also allegations that Kevin Rudd made representations of Aussie Rent whilst on trips to chin as Labor's foreign affairs spokesman.[1]
Sponsored Trips to Taiwanese
For 2 weeks in June and July, 2005, Kevin Rudd was flown to London by Brisbane-based Kung Chin Yuan, a close of former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian while he was foreign minister. At the time, Taiwan was attempting to boost its influence with Australia and other countries in the Pacific region.[1]
Mr Kung has been linked to a secret fund used to support Taiwan's efforts to secure diplomatic recognition in the South Pacific and gain influence in Australia. He has also been indicted on corruption and money laundering charges, relating partly to his alleged misuse of the secret fund. His wife and former aides are also being prosecuted for corruption.[1]
Between 1998 and 2006 Mr Kung donated $120,000 to the Australian Labor Party (QLD) and donated a further $100,000 to the national branch in 2007-08 using the name Lawrence Kung.[1]
