‘Disturbing’: Businessman with links to ex-pollie Stuart Robert flees country
A Queensland businessman under scrutiny over several government contracts and with links to former Cabinet minister Stuart Robert has left the country, prompting a “please explain” from the prime minister.
John Margerison, a former part-owner of Synergy 360, describes himself as a philanthropist.(ABC, John Margerison philanthropy)
John Margerison was ordered to produce evidence and appear before parliament to answer questions.
But his lawyers said Margerison would not face the parliamentary committee inquiry because he lived overseas and had “severed all ties” with Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the developments were “disturbing”.
“There needs to be an explanation about why this fellow seems to have disappeared overseas, given the very serious allegations which are there, given he was required to appear before a parliamentary committee,” Mr Albanese told reporters on Tuesday.
“Quite clearly, these revelations are really disturbing.”
He said he would not comment on whether the case should be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The parliamentary committee is investigating Synergy 360, a consulting firm linked to former Liberal MP Stuart Robert.
The firm has been accused of channelling money to a company linked to Mr Robert in order to win lucrative government contracts.
The allegations, made under parliamentary privilege, have been denied by Mr Robert.
The parliamentary committee’s chair, Labor MP Julian Hill, said Mr Margerison’s lawyers had not disclosed his whereabouts.
“That Mr Margerison’s lawyer now claims he has left and severed all ties with Australia is a somewhat surprising turn of events indeed,” Mr Hill said.
“Mr Margerison’s whereabouts remain a matter of great mystery.”
He said the inquiry would proceed as planned.
Cabinet minister Bill Shorten said it was a remarkable development and highly irregular that Mr Margerison had severed all relations with Australia.
“Many questions remain unanswered, not least of which are why Mr Margerison was gifted a significant proportion of Synergy 360 shares,” Mr Shorten said.
“And what was the final destination of money directed to a trust which Mr Robert had previously disclosed on his register of members’ interests?”
Mr Shorten challenged the Liberal National Party to detail its knowledge of Mr Margerison’s activities, given he was a key fundraiser for the Queensland branch.
“Does the coalition approve of this?” Mr Shorten asked.
“Does the coalition think it’s acceptable, you ride out of town ahead of the posse and not be seen again?”
Mr Robert resigned from parliament this year.
