The building in question … 83 Davey Street Hobart
• Financial Review: Abetz accused of restacking Fair Work ahead of his Cabinet dumping …
From the Archive …
First published February 23
I was not amused when Senator Erich Abetz – then Minister for Forests in the Howard Government – sent two men to my front door to threaten me.
My offence? I had written on 21 April 2007 to the Prime Minister and the President of the Senate regarding the gift of $50,000 to the Liberal Party by a Tasmanian woodchip company Gunns Ltd.
Gunns was then pushing a pulp mill in Tasmania. My letters asked if this gift from a public company some three weeks after Abetz – a Tasmanian Senator – had been made the Minister of Forests, compromised his Ministerial position and the Howard Government.
I had earlier written to Abetz on 20 March 2007 asking him if this donation from Gunns Ltd had compromised his position as Minister for Forests.
Abetz replied in part:
“Having made false and defamatory accusations against me, I hoped you might move to correct the record, or at least desist from making such unfounded accusations in future. Unfortunately you now seek to compound your accusations by obfuscation”
Erich Abetz’s interest in politics was evident by the late 1970’s when he became the first Tasmanian President of the Australian Liberal Students’ Federation prior to gaining his qualifications as a lawyer and barrister.1
In 1987 Abetz joined the legal practice of the 27 year-old Tasmanian Roger Curtis who had also graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Laws. Initially the firm was called R.A. Curtis and Associate, financed by an unknown supporter whose name and the extent of their interest in the partnership has never been disclosed.
In 2016 two newspaper articles gave interesting insights into the early days of the firm.
Abetz: “A few people saw us as Young Turks trying to set up a legal practice from scratch. But if I might say we did quite well at it.” Abetz refuses to name the man who gave the pair the financial backing they needed, “we are extremely thankful he gave us a break in life” is all he will say of the mystery guarantor …2
Nevertheless, Abetz thought that the duo ran “a pretty dynamic legal practice.3
83 Davey Street Hobart
On 29 May 1989 Abetz and Curtis bought an office building together for their legal practice at 83 Davey Street for $190,000.4 Importantly the purchase was made as tenants in common with both Abetz and Curtis owning a half share. (Document 1) On the same day they took out a mortgage with the Island State Credit Union. The legal firm Abetz Curtis still occupies this building as an office and place of business.
At the age of 32 on August 11 1990 Abetz was appointed State President of the Tasmanian Liberal Party. He stood unsuccessfully at the election of 1993, receiving 639 votes. Nevertheless he entered the Senate unelected via a casual vacancy in 1994.
In his first Register of Interests signed on the1st June 1994 some three months after taking up his Senate seat Abetz states that he had retained his interest in the legal partnership, Abetz Curtis Docking at Kingston, from which he obtained a substantial source of income and a 1/3 interest in A & C Management Pty Ltd of which he is a director. (Documents, 2a, b, c and d.) Interestingly he makes no mention of the situation regarding his legal partnership with Curtis and the half-share ownership of the property, the head office of Abetz Curtis at 83 Davey Street Hobart. I can find no trace of Abetz resigning or disposing of his interest in the Hobart branch of the legal firm, Abetz Curtis & Docking, or its successors.
Abetz may have been cautioned over his first declaration to the Senate by John Vander Wyk (the Senate Registrar), for 5 weeks later on the 8 July 1994 Abetz submitted a revised form. He had deleted from his Register of Interests the directorship of Abetz Curtis Docking at Kingston and his interests in A & C Management Pty Ltd.
Interestingly at the same time he declares for the first time on the Register a new consultancy to Abetz & Co in association with Shields Heritage. (Plate 3) This firm now known as Shields Heritage Inc. Abetz & Co Lawyers has the ABN No 26 477023371, a number it has shared with Abetz & Co. from 2007 to the present. The firm Abetz and Co. existed from 31 Aug 2000 – 29 Aug 2007 ( Here ).
With time the firm Shields Heritage became the lawyers to the forestry company Gunns Ltd of Launceston and Abetz Curtis the lawyers to Forestry Tasmania.
On 30th October 1998 on his Register of Interests, Abetz states that he has resigned from an unspecified practice as a legal consultant.
Perhaps Abetz will clarify which firm was the subject of this resignation.
In 2003 nearly 10 years after Abetz first entered the Senate someone was looking into his business affairs causing him to amend his Senate Register of Interests. Abetz states for the first time that he was still “a registered proprietor” [of the Abetz Curtis office building] at 83 Davey Street in Hobart. It is of interest that he was not prepared to state who occupied the building.
This poses the question, who had been footing the bills on behalf of Abetz as the half owner over a 10-year period. Was this A & C Management Services Pty Ltd, ACN 009576149 (Document 4) the service company to the Abetz Curtis legal practice.
Perhaps Abetz will elucidate?
Is this a case of Abetz making a sensible decision to keep an interest in the firm and its office property on the chance that his acquisition of a Senate seat via a casual vacancy in 1994 could or would be overturned at the next Senate election?
If this is so then the die had been unwittingly cast for this matter now provides a traceable connection between Abetz as a registered proprietor of the building and his former legal practice previously carefully forgotten. It was a matter that Abetz was unwilling to acknowledge on his Register of Interests until it was “brought to my attention.”
Abetz, in a signed and dated statement on the Register of Interests, acknowledges both ownership and sale in the same document. (Document 5):
17th November 2003
It has been brought to my attention that I am still a registered proprietor of the property situate[sic] of 83 Davey Street Hobart in Tasmania and as a mortgagor to the Island State Credit Union.
I signed a Memorandum of Transfer divesting myself of all and any interest in the property in or about February 1994.
Since then I have received no income nor paid any monies in relation to the property …
Abetz
Special Minister of State
I suggest that someone who Abetz could not ignore had informed him that his 1994 Memorandum of Transfer was invalid. As a result Abetz still had an interest in Abetz Curtis – for there was no sale.
Who was this someone and what control did he appear to exert over the Minister?
If this signed Memorandum of Transfer exists why was this document not registered as required by law when drawn up between two lawyers, equal partners in a property owned by them for the purpose of housing their legal business?
No Memorandum of Transfer is registered on the Title Deeds and under section 58(2) of the Land Titles Act 1981 and a transfer is not effective until it has been registered with the Land Titles Office.
This transaction would have taken place under the Stamp Duties Act 1931 before it was revoked on 1 July 2001.This Act requires the stamp duty to be paid within 90 days from the signing of the Memorandum of Transfer:
• Abetz states in his declaration to the Senate that he signed the Memorandum of Transfer.
• Failure to comply means that monetary penalties apply.
• If these are calculated from 1994 they will be substantial.
If no Memorandum of Transfer ever existed then Abetz has knowingly and in writing given false and untrue information to the Senate and Parliament when signing and dating his November 2003 Register of Interests.
I ask Abetz was this problem caused by a desire not to draw attention to his continuing but undeclared interest in property that housed the firm of Abetz Curtis Lawyers at 83 Davey Street Hobart and his association with that company while a Minister of the Crown?
Capital Gains tax became law in Australia on 20 September 1985, so any property purchased in 1989 is subject to Capital Gains tax. The Memorandum of Transfer for a proposed sale over 83 Davey Street was according to Abetz created in or about February 1994. On the assumption that Abetz did not lie when signing his Register of Interests this transaction is subject to capital gains tax both cumulative and with interest.
On 2nd February 2004 a second declaration, presumably made under advice, was made by Abetz to the Senate Registrar, (Document 6). This makes no mention of the signed Memorandum of Transfer of February 1994 yet in the slap-dash world inhabited by our pollies nothing was seen to be amiss when Abetz stated:
Further to my letter dated 17th November 2003 re the property at 83 Davey Street Hobart in Tasmania please be advised that on 28th January 2004 I executed the appropriate documentation to enable transfer out of my name of all the estate and interest specified in Certificate of Title Volume 38477, Folio 4. [83 Davey Street]
I have received an undertaking that the documentation will be lodged for registration with the Tasmanian Land Titles Office within the next 60 days.
The actual change in ownership between the: “Transferor: Erich Abetz by direction of Roger Andrew Curtis (as to a one half share) and Roger Andrew Curtis”, was made by the payment in this same order of two different sums of money. One was of $150,000 and the other of $300,000 to the Transferee, Curtis Investments No 1 Pty Ltd (ACN 079912673). Stamp duty amounts of $3925 on the $150,000 and $9550 on the $300,000 were paid on 7 September 2004. (Document 7)
The in-house witness to the transfer was Abetz’s wife, Michelle Abetz, whose occupation was given as clerk of Channel Highway Kingston. It would appear that Mrs Abetz annotated the amount of stamp duty to be paid by each party on this document as 3925 – 9550 again with the smaller amount first. The sums as calculated are correct.
From this document it would appear that Curtis and Abetz transferred their original half-share interest as tenants in common over 83 Davey Street Hobart into Curtis Investments No 1 Pty Ltd at two different values with either Abetz or Curtis having a half-share valued at $150,000. This is confirmed by the annexed receipts for two different rates of stamp duty paid by the vendors, not the purchaser? Importantly, section 11 of the Duties Act 2001 requires that the Transferee pay duty on the transaction rather than the Transferor.
Will Abetz please explain the reasoning behind all this.
Was one of the two parties selling at a value that reduced their Capital Gains tax liability?
Curtis Investments No 1 Pty Ltd was registered on the 1 September 1997 ACN 079912673, with 1,000,000 ordinary $1 shares. The subscriber to the Memorandum of Association was Roger Andrew Curtis with one fully paid share. (Documents 8 and 8a) The office of Curtis Investments No 1 Pty Ltd was stated to be at 136 Davey Street, currently the Electoral office of Senator Abetz.
Why was Abetz and his failure to disclose his half-share ownership in a building for over 10 years seen as unworthy of comment by the Registrar?
The Senate demands that all Senators declare all real estate and the purpose for which it is owned to the Registrar:
“A Senator who knowingly provides false or misleading information to the Registrar of Senators Interests shall be guilty of a serious contempt of the Senate……..”
If Senator Abetz has declared false and misleading information to the Register of Senators’ Interests then the matter should be referred to the Privileges Committee of which Abetz is a member.
A question over the $150,000 payment has been put to Abetz by the Editor of Tasmanian Times. It elicited the following reply:
“We don’t respond to disreputable outlets like the Tasmanian Times who constantly publish fake and defamatory news. Suffice to say all relevant disclosures have been made.
Office of Senator Abetz”
167/191 Channel Highway Kingston
Abetz has a track record over capital gains tax and its treatment on the sale of property as detailed on Tasmanian Times5 regarding his house at 167/191 Channel Highway which was sold on the 18 July 2005, which I restate here for purposes of completeness:
I became aware of Senator Abetz’s property dealings during the process of preparing my Petition to the Court of Disputed Returns for I had cause to check the residential address provided by Senator Abetz on his nomination forms for the 1998 and 2004 Senate elections. The Senate requires all Senators to maintain a “Statement of Registrable Interests”. This is kept at the Senate in Parliament House, Canberra. There are questions the Senator should clarify, in the public interest. For example the sale of one property raises questions about the declared profit, compared to an apparent actual profit. Was the full extent of the capital gain declared to the Australian Tax Office? It is vital Australians have complete faith in their elected representatives…..
Three properties were involved, 163, 167, and 191 Channel Highway Kingston. They adjoined the Antarctic Centre in Kingston.
The property 191 Channel Highway appears to have been owned by Senator & Mrs Abetz and was their family home. The land area was 0.6206 hectares and on it stood a weatherboard house with an imitation tile roof with six main rooms built circa 1910. The property was acquired prior to the introduction of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) so was free of CGT when the Abetz family decided to sell.
An adjoining block, Lot 167 comprising some 3.894 hectares or approximately 10 acres, was purchased by E and MA Abetz from the Tasmanian State Government on 1 June 2000. Lot 167 was purchased for $100,000. The purchase price was $20,000 less than the Government capital valuation price and I can find no trace of it ever being put out to tender.
The then RPDC archives examined a case between two potential developers; this provides a good background to the matter but does not reveal who applied for the change of land zoning use. A Council Planning Officer for some reason incorrectly described the Abetz land as “167 Channel Highway in two titles (owner E Abetz) ….includes a small title of .3662 ha incorporating the house Lynden Rise” He continued thus to place emphasis on Lot 167,
“Of these lots it is this rear lot of 167 Channel Highway that potentially has the most potential, providing potential for facilities and services that interconnect with those of the Antarctic Division site”.
Interestingly the Council Planning Officer in this application reduced the land area of title 191 which gets no mention; only the house is named.
Lot 163, the adjoining house block on a larger land area 0.8232 hectares, had been purchased prior to the RPDC’s agreement to rezone from a Mrs V Wiseman on 10 December 2004 for $565,000 by AAD Nominees Pty Ltd. The Government valuation in 2004 (Cap) was $208,000 (the house was built in 1968). The Capital Value as of 1 March 2009 was $670,000 with a land value of $490,000.
Lot 203 was subdivided from the Antarctic Division block already owned by AAD Nominees Pty Ltd.
In summary therefore the blocks owned by Senator & Mrs Abetz Lots 191 (although not specified) and 167 were attached to 163 and 203 then owned by AAD Nominees Pty Ltd for the purposes of a rezoning in an application referred to the RPDC for approval.
Following approval by the RPDC on 24 Feb 2005, Senator & Mrs Abetz immediately sold 191 and 167, with completion on 18 July 2005, to AAD Nominees Pty Ltd for $1.9m with Abetz apportioning $1.5m to the family home, 191 Channel Highway, and $400,000 to Lot 167, the 10 acres purchased from the State Government for $100,000. It should be noted that the Abetz name does not feature on the Title to Lot 191 in this transfer; why not?
Since the purchase, AAD Nominees Pty Ltd obtained two reductions in the rated value on Lot 191 – the Abetz family home, with an adjusted land value of $430,000 and a capital value of $840,000. In a rarity for Kingston this loss of value up to 2010 must put a question mark over the assigned value of the Abetz residence in 2005.
Was it a case of Lot 191 having been overvalued by Abetz? This would reduce his capital gains tax liability on the adjoining 10 acre land Lot 167.
Perhaps Abetz can elucidate further.
The Senate requires all Senators to maintain a “Statement of Registrable Interests”. This is kept at the Senate in Parliament House, Canberra.
Regarding real estate, the Register requires that the suburb or area is provided and makes a distinction between residential and investment property and whether the property is used as a residence, as a holiday home, as a farm, or is held for investment or other business purposes. For all purchases or disposals of real estate, the date of settlement is to be considered the date of alteration of interests and notification should be made within 28 days of that date.
Senator Abetz’s information in his Statement of Registrable Interests for each of his terms of office reveals, in part, his real estate interests. The 1994 Register, his first in Parliament, gives his only property as ”Kingston Tasmania Residence”; in an alteration to Senators’ Interests (Document 4) he cancels his loans but he makes this addition to his interests, “Consultant to Abetz & Co in association with Shields Heritage”.
He declares the purchase of two investment properties at Gagebrook in 1995 and 77 Beach Road Kingston – a block of four units or flats overlooking the golf course – in 1998, with a sale in 1999.
There is no mention on the Register of Assets of the separate purchase from the State Government of Tasmania of Lot 167, yet he informed the Register: “My wife and I have contracted to purchase land adjacent to our residence through a nominee” possibly the Abetz Family Trust on 14 Feb 2000. He later confirmed the purchase but in joint names (Document 5) on 5 June 2000. There was no mention of investment that would turn out to be financially beneficial. Eighteen months later, in Dec 2002, still no mention, but he informs the Register that he has paid out the loan.
The acquisition of 10 acres of land, Lot 167 Channel Highway, from the Tasmanian State Government, followed by rezoning from Residential to Business and Civic, must have turned this transaction to a “property held for investment” and as such it becomes very much a “Registrable Interest.” This property as 167 Channel Highway has never been declared as either a purchase or sale to the Senate of Australia.
Abetz still gives, “Kingston Residence” as his only property even after 167 and 191 are sold with completion, 18 July 2005, yet he has to inform the Register within 28 days of sale. I ask why the delay? The sale was declared as Residential on 3/Jan/2006.
The sale of Lot 167 within five years, at a declared profit of $300,000 – but arguably an actual profit of approximately $1.3m – makes this a very good investment indeed. If this is so the capital gain is in excess of $1m and the Capital Gains Tax unpaid would be in excess of $200,000.
My requests to the ATO for an investigation over possible tax fraud by Abetz regarding the underpayment of capital gains tax on the Channel Highway property may now be considered more interesting after consideration of the sale of his half share in his former legal office at 83 Davey Street Hobart.
I have taken Abetz to the High Court acting as the Court of Disputed Returns over his right to sit in the Senate between 1994 and 2010, and contest the 2010 senate election as a dual national.
Abetz, during the hearing, produced under duress the Renunciation Certificate of his German citizenship dated in 9 March 2010. As a result I was forced to withdraw my case before the High Court – as for the election of 2010 Abetz was legally (for the first time) to take his seat in the Senate; he having renounced his German nationality immediately prior to the election.
As you cannot renounce a citizenship you do not have, Abetz must have been sitting illegally in the Parliament as a dual national between 1994 and 2010.
Despite my withdrawal of the challenge before the High Court, unusually Abetz was made to pay his costs.
To date the Senate and its President have shown absolutely no interest in any of these matters.
Is this because Senator Abetz, a former Minister of the Crown and Leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate has had sufficient influence within that exclusive club to keep the inquisitive at bay?
I ask Senator Stephen Parry as President of the Australian Senate, will you now act over the issues tabulated above and place the matter before the Privileges Committee?
Failing that will any Tasmanian Senator break ranks and ask Abetz on the floor of the Senate to answer the questions posed in this article?
Download supporting documents …
http://cdn-src.tasmaniantimes.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Abetz_Davey_Street_Images.pdf
Davey Street Documents:
• Document 1. Transfer to Roger Andrew Curtis and Erich Abetz as Tenants in Common in equal half shares.
• Document 2. A. & C. Management Services Pty Ltd (1/3 holding)
• Document 2a. A. & C. Management Services P/L Director a service Company to legal practice.
• Document 2b. Abetz Curtis Docking – Kingston Substantial source of income.
• Document 2c.
• Document 2d.
• Document 3. Addition: Consultant to Abetz&Co in Association with Shields Heritage. Deletion: A. & C. Management Pty Ltd, Abetz Curtis & Docking – Kingston…..
• Document 4.A. & C. Management Services Pty Ltd a History.
• Document 5. 18 Nov 2003 Registry of Senators Interests: It has been brought to my attention….
• Document 6. 4 Feb 2004, Registry of Senators Interests….transfer out of my name….
• Document 7. Tasmanian Land Titles Office Sale of 83 Davey Street by Erich Abetz by direction of Roger Andrew Curtis (as to one half share) and Roger Andrew Curtis….to Curtis Investments…..
• Document 8. Creation of Curtis Investments No. 1 Pty Ltd on 29/8/97 with a registered office at 136 Davey Street Hobart occupied by Horwarth and Horwath share capital 1,000,000 $1 shares one $1 share owned by Curtis.
Channel Highway Documents: ( TT here )
• Document 1 Layout of land Titles used in this Document.
• Document 2 Overlay of proposed Shopping Centre and Car Park.
• Document 3 The Kingborough Council Planning Scheme 2000, Amendment A1 with no Lot 191.
• Document 4 14 July 1994, Alteration to assets.
• Document 5 5 June 2000, purchase of 167 land Channel Highway.
• Document 6 Letter 17 Nov 2003, over discovery of lost property.
• Document 7 Sale of lost property, 2 February 2004.
• Document 8 Alteration of Interests 3 January 2006, sale of 196 & 197 with no distinction drawn between Residence and Investment.
References Davey Street …
1Jane Cadzow, 30/3/2016 SMH . March 26 2016
2Sally Glaetzer. Mercury. Tas Weekend 27.2.2016.
3Cadzow, ibid
4Land Titles Office Lot 4/38477.
5The Channel Highway Land Deal on Tasmanian Times 2010 ( Here )
*John Hawkins was born and educated in England. He has lived in Tasmania for 13 years. He is the author of “Australian Silver 1800–1900” and “Thomas Cole and Victorian Clockmaking” and “The Hawkins Zoomorphic Collection” as well as “The Al Tajir Collection of Silver and Gold” and nearly 100 articles on the Australian Decorative Arts. He is a Past President and Life Member of The Australian Art & Antique Dealers Association. John has lived in Australia for 50 years and is 75 this year. In two of the world’s longest endurance marathons and in the only teams to ever complete these two events, he drove his four-in-hand team from Melbourne to Sydney in 1985 and from Sydney to Brisbane in 1988.
• Financial Review: Abetz accused of restacking Fair Work ahead of his Cabinet dumping …
• Fairfax: Eric Abetz objects to rainbow flag being displayed in government buildings
• Advocates defend rainbow flags after ‘bizarre’ Abetz attack
Age Tuesday seventh of March 2017
Chris
February 22, 2017 at 12:00
Oh what a tangled web..
On ya John.
Pete Godfrey
February 22, 2017 at 13:41
Nice digging John, I am guessing that the answers will not be too forthcoming. Especially as you have put the article on the Fake News TT site.
Good isn’t it how fast conservatives take up new names made up by mates.
It will all come down to the Australian Wheat Board standard reply and that of the Lying little Rodent at the time.
“cant recall”
Brian Hillman
February 22, 2017 at 14:19
A fine, detailed and well-researched article, Mr Hawkins. I am sure it will help focus the Senator’s mind towards a suitably clarifying response. You have been very considerate in limiting the scope of the complaint so the busy Senator doesn’t have to waste time on what might have become irrelevancies.
I am confident his response will be worthy one. After all, he is a Senator who was allowed to occupy our Parliament as a dual-national for so long, that he must have been so impressive to seemingly encourage general agreement that normal rules don’t apply in his case. No?
The questions are now before him.
Perhaps more of us will receive visits from the Senator’s eager ‘research staff’, keen to discover all they can to help get to the bottom of the story.
I sincerely hope this issue, so important to our belief and need for a just and honest government, will be dealt with in an equally just and honest manner.
Studler van Surck
February 22, 2017 at 14:29
If a so severely blighted and so well documented history like the above could be produced against a Senate colleague of Eric on the other side of the political spectrum, we can all readily imagine the never ending and annoyingly grating sanctimonious insistence on a full investigation by the Senate that this man would demand.
The fact that he is so unusually silent speaks volumes.
Well done John!
Leveller
February 22, 2017 at 14:50
…
This is another reason why we need a FEDERAL ICAC right now!
john hayward
February 22, 2017 at 14:58
John should be thanking the Hon Abetz for sharing the secret that Australian law, for all its olympian image, usually doesn’t operate inside the tent housing pollies and Tas Inc.
Citizens should never forget that one of the objectives of the justice system, which is appointed by politicians, is to protect that system from disrepute.
In cases where the only defence of the government side is to ignore both the law and the evidence, the justice system has the ducks in place to do exactly that. Q.E.D.
John Hayward
TGC
February 22, 2017 at 18:40
Any mention of Senator Abetz – can John Hawkins – and his henchmen (people) be far behind?
Simon Warriner
February 22, 2017 at 18:48
Fake news, eh.
Given the tripe the mainstream outlets usually serve up, that is high praise indeed.
Mr Hawkins, we the people owe you a very considerable debt of gratitude. Well done Sir!
TV Resident
February 22, 2017 at 19:28
No..5…I have to agree with you 100%. We do need a FEDERAL ICAC with teeth to allow prosecutions etc. Or maybe there are so many crooked politicians covering their own backsides while lining their own pockets plus also the pockets of mates and this is the main reason we don’t have one.
john hayward
February 22, 2017 at 20:27
#7, TGC. Strange as it must seem to you, criticism or contempt of Abetz is not orchestrated by some sort of fuhrer in the opposition.
John Hayward
Simon Warriner
February 22, 2017 at 20:46
sent to ABC tipoff email at 1845hrs
reference this article posted on Tasmaniantimes.com
http://oldtt.pixelkey.biz/index.php?/article/the-senate-register-of-interests-83-davey-street-hobart-and-senator-abetz/
This article details significant breaches of legal requirements by a Senator who has been extremely active in pursuit of his opponents facing similar allegations.
It is long past time that his own performance was subjected to a thorough review, and Mr Hawkins has done the hard work.
I request you do your duty as the public’s fourth estate, uphold democratic functionality and follow this story up with all the investigative muscle at your disposal.
signed
Simon Warriner
lets see what happens, feel free to add your requests.
TGC
February 22, 2017 at 22:06
#11 The ABC will do what the Left directs.
mark
February 22, 2017 at 22:29
I wouldn’t expect a response. I’ll give Abetz one thing, he’s disciplined enough to know when not to throw another log on the fire.
Steve
February 22, 2017 at 22:47
Thanks John, I enjoy your articles. Abetz is going to his grave with a set of teeth marks in his ankle (or perhaps higher?) entitled “Property of John Hawkins”.
You are so totally correct. $190,000 in 1989 was real money. To “forget” that one had a half share in such a property is a bit hard to believe. “Since then I have received no income nor paid any monies in relation to the property” is simply weasel wording.
Lynne Newington
February 22, 2017 at 23:07
Let him sue you……is my advice.
When I’ve been challenged by something that doesn’t sit well within the church that’s what I say……
For instance, the facility in place for women in situations created by clergy unable to maintain their vows still in operation into the 1980’s……
Di Elliffe
February 23, 2017 at 00:45
… Well done Mr Hawkins for your comprehensive investigation.
(edited)
William Boeder
February 23, 2017 at 04:12
This well researched and referenced collation of a certain senator’s real estate holdings is honed sharp and precise in its careful accuracy to detail of all that will be necessary for a hearing …
…
Well pursued John Hawkins, this article does you great credit for the research work alone, a hard task also to place each piece in correct order to reveal the web … there within revealed.
(edited)
phill Parsons
February 23, 2017 at 11:12
What are Abetz’s options. Ignore it like his dual citizenship breaching the Constitution. Update the Register. Await the next election. Parry can be weighed on to delay or lose preselection like Comeback did. Like Brandis this is a weasel but in this case it is more slippery.
The only reason Abetz will fall is because the Liberals want him gone.
Wining Pom
February 23, 2017 at 11:34
#12, #11 The ABC will do what the Left directs.
No doubt Amanda Vandstone will grill him on counterpoint.
Russell
February 23, 2017 at 13:59
#12 The ABC is well and truly captured by the left, except for:
– the Board which is full of captains of finance and industry
– the CEO who is a former Murdoch executive
– the heads of television who commission endless tabloid crap (bread and circuses, but no bread)
– news and current affairs, any PR spin passes as ‘news’ at your ABC. “Foresty Tas declares a ‘profit’ nice one, we’ll run with that.”
– News 24
– endless stock and currency reports, as if the ABC target audience is cashed up super-annuated boomers and CEO’s, which of course it is.
Thanks to John Hawkins and TT for this investigation into the … world of Herr Abetz.
William Boeder
February 23, 2017 at 17:08
# Well done Simon Warriner, something we here that attend to the TT forum must look to doing, the same goes for other matters that are worthy of attaining headline national news.
#15. Lynne Newington, very valid point and one that the Commission into the Catholic Church clergy abuse need to be reminded of and placed upon their agenda.
Lindsay, thank you for your edit, otherwise my comment will have held that superfluity of non-relevance.
Studler van Surck
February 23, 2017 at 17:21
I have heard several friends discuss this shambles and one suggested referring to this slippery character as Eric “The Eel” Abetz in future. I am strongly opposed to such suggestion as it would be a slap in the face for the courageous hero of the Sydney Olympic Games Eric “The Eel” Moussambani who swam the full length of the pool. Carrying luggage of the kind so aptly described by John; our Eric must sink sooner or later.
Kevin Kiernan
February 23, 2017 at 19:46
Excellently researched piece Mr Hawkins. Many thanks. It’s appalling that the people involved can get away with simply ignoring revelations like this. But then Uncle Otto’s nephew got away with the dual citizen business too. As did the political party that appointed him to office, being either too thick to notice or simply not caring about what looks to me like its blatant contravention of this nation’s constitution. But then no-one called out what seems to me like the unconstitutional nature of the Phony Rabbit’s prime ministerial pretensions either. And this is supposed to be a nation that subscribes to the Rule of Law? What sort of self-delusional idiocracy are we living in?
Luigi
February 23, 2017 at 20:14
Without Eric’s leadership, the Tas Liberals might well have won Braddon and Lyons at the last Federal election. (Although I suspect nothing could have saved Nikolic from himself in Bass).
While concerted effort might unseat Eric now, what would the consequences be? Tas Liberals might well prosper at the ballot box without Eric’s impetus to the pendulum of public opinion.
Be careful what you wish for.
john hayward
February 23, 2017 at 22:20
I’m with Luigi, #24. Short of Trumpty Dumpty himself, where would you find a more repellent reactionary than our Eric? If he survives, perhaps we don’t deserve to.
John Hayward
O'Brien
February 25, 2017 at 16:10
“There are no factions in the Liberal Party.â€
(Tony Abbott)
Most people omit to keep in mind, when it comes to Abetz/Abbott, they have a direct fixed copper line of communication with God. In their minds they are guided by the lord’s hand. Men like that are capable of anything. They are not only absolved of any earthly responsibility for their actions, they are divinely inspired. Being amongst God’s few chosen people, to be whizzed up to heaven on a petroleum powered turbo cloud thus avoiding the coming rapture. The rest of us consigned to flames, sulphur & brimstone, the sooner the better. There ain’t no arguing with that logic.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/federal-election/analysis/federal-election-2016-inside-former-pm-tony-abbotts-chaotic-misguided-military-deployments/news-story/7977fa6e3d073f6130fc4bf954944768?nk=bb08eabf6082b3c306aa8f74c5310e45-1488029001
Lynne Newington
February 26, 2017 at 00:20
This song automatically comes to mimd……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ-QsMYqzoY
Steve
February 26, 2017 at 00:23
#36; Thank you so much for your comment.
I appreciate that you may have considered it only a throw away piece of cynicism but I really think you have encapsulated it in a nutshell; “capable of anything”. “absolved of any earthly responsibility”.
Beautifully put!
Lynne Newington
February 26, 2017 at 13:53
I doubt if Mr Abetz will be going anywhere soon with his support….a few interesting snapshots… Both he and Cory Bernardi connected with Australian Taxpayer Alliance hauled over the coals for using taxpayer money supporting the same interesting views.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/eric-abetz-and-cory-bernardi-rack-up-a-bill-to-attend-antigovernment-waste-do-20150809-giv1me.html.
Robin Charles Halton
February 27, 2017 at 00:31
Rarely I agree with Abetz but he is right Abbott should be a part of the Turnbull cabinet.
Anyway serve Turnbull right as a very restless Abbott wants a Ministry!
The declining Liberal vote will be filled by One Nation who will even exceed Green vote by the next election.
Nobody wants Shorten as PM, so will take over from Turnbull, Julie Bishop perhaps!
Lynne Newington
February 27, 2017 at 09:55
Well if he takes up Cory Bernardi’s invitation he may just get one. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/27/cory-bernardi-invites-tony-abbott-to-join-australian-conservatives
john hayward
February 27, 2017 at 20:12
To get a more a more detailed and horrifying examination of the Trump values which Eric so admires, have a look at “A short history of the Trump Family” by Sidney Blumenthal in the 16/2/17 volume of the London Review of Books:
http://oldtt.pixelkey.biz/index.php?/pr-article/a-short-history-of-the-trump-family/
John Hayward
O'Brien
March 2, 2017 at 07:06
Donald Trump Uber Alles…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQLb2cG1Di8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqRm8ZWtXl0
Luigi
March 2, 2017 at 19:26
Why has nobody mentioned Eric’s warm-hearted suggestion in the face of the Fair Work Commission’s decision on penalty loadings, that currently employed folk be “grandfathered” ie. that they continue to receive full freight while new employees get less? This is the kind of insight that only a former Employment Minister can bring to the debate. Henceforth, I’ll always see Eric as the champion of the soon-to-be-unemployed underdog.
William Boeder
March 3, 2017 at 10:19
#34.Hello Luigi, I understand the insufferable John Howard made somewhat the same decision as per the Erich Abetz illogical comment as discussed, this was in regard to a perk he enjoyed but all those that followed after his term in office would be the last to receive this sort of an automatic benefit, do you recall what it was?
I seem to think it was an unearned superannuation entitlement, he himself remained as the last recipient of some excessive unwarranted slug upon the taxpayer.
Abetz pulls the same stunt here in Tasmania whereby he gets unparalleled access to the State’s news platforms.
Having read a great deal between the lines of that which the Liberal party has done for Australia’s people in the past 20 odd years, one incident I recall was the AWB sale of wheat to Iraq scandal, which in itself was described as a criminal action in our courts of law.
Another was the Securrency bribery cover-up.
I believe he had become the most prolific lie spieling Prime Minister of all time, “the core promises bull-shizer” had its birth following an election win by this bar-stead, thus he had slithered out from under much that he had promised while he was on the campaign trail.
There must come a time when this kind of Abetz and Howard bullshit be made punishable by law.
At the very heart of this was an advertising program that ended up as a false and misleading series of events, politicians everywhere now think nothing of misleading this Nation.
One of the most damning examples was the lowly John Howard request for Australian troops to be sent to Iraq to prop up the American commenced campaign of war throughout the Arab Sring.
There has not been any consequence to the Iraqi war as it is now undergoing more of the false terrorism causations.
Only this time it is America alone that is blasting away at targets in Iraq for some sort of new regime situation that will see Iraqi oil being sold to those outside of Iraq.
Collectively the damage created by Abetz in Tasmania, Howard has done the same for the nation of Australia.
His overseas spruiking engagements paid for by the Australian tax-payers are generally based on how clever this rodent had been for his own self-aggrandizement.
BAZZABEE
March 12, 2017 at 01:06
ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO!
William Boeder
March 12, 2017 at 11:33
#11. Simon I will dispatch a copy of the Abetz behaviours to the office of George Brandis QC today.
No reason that the Abetz peers should not know a whole lot more about this hard right nimble Mephistophelian person.
John Hawkins
July 20, 2018 at 15:49
The Abetz parliamentary website gives his legal firm in Hobart before his entry into parliament as a partnership between Abetz Curtis and Dutton.
This is incorrect and it should be corrected. The name of his original law firm in Hobart was Abetz Curtis and Docking.
I suggest Abetz has changed the name of his law firm on his website because his partner Docking was struck off.
I ask .. why was Docking struck off?
Will Abetz explain the reason for the name change on his website’s website?
Carol Rea
July 21, 2018 at 17:59
#38 … Well, that’s a slip up. Abetz, Curtis and Dutton.
https://abetz.com.au/about
TV Resident
July 21, 2018 at 20:08
How can he possibly get away with this kind of resume when, according to John Hawkins’ collection of data, he only renounced his German citizenship in 2010? It’s OK for Abetz to throw mud, but he needs to explain his own questionable situation, in my opinion.
Pete Godfrey
July 21, 2018 at 20:40
Maybe Kevin Moylan can help out as to why Mr Docking was struck off the register. Here is a post from Kevin on another article …
[i]At the age of 31, I first met Craig ‘Garbo’ Garland in 1989 at Boat Harbour Beach, just prior to relocating to TasMANIA from mainland Victoria. I was chasing my dreams to buy a farm, with some forest to run some horses.
I asked Garbo, “Do you think I’ll fit in down here?†He said, “Do it mate, we need good psych nurses here in Wynyard.â€
Garbo knew everyone (the locals) from Zeehan to Marrawah, Smithton to Rocky Cape, Sisters Beach, Wynyard, Somerset, Burnie and way beyond.
My blood boiled when Senator (should know better) Abetz found some (victimised) historical dirt to splatter and attempt to publicly destabilise and discredit a real and true Tasmanian of truth and integrity. That’s why he has accumulated thousands of fair dinkum ‘mates’ during his decent and hard-working wholesome life.
Garbo, be informed: 1995-1999. My Australian Nursing Federation Lawyer, Murray ‘Dale’ Docking, from the pretend law firm – ABETZ CURTIS and DOCKING, Davey Street Hobart, was the sole reason I lost (had stolen) my Flowerdale Valley home and farm.
Dec 1999: Docking was struck off the Tasmanian legal register the exact same (contrived) day I was ordered to vacate my magnificent property.
Abetz then ostracised and wiped me like a leper, stating “Docking was no longer a legal partner.†Denied Natural Justice and a hearing before the law; homelessness and an escape back to the mainland was next.
Are you ready and equipped for the betrayal, thuggery and deceit, lies and corruption of TAS politics, Garbo? It is a legal system, not a justice system. Decent, honest, fair dinkum and passionate ‘individuals’ are not welcome in exclusive Club Cartel TasMANIA!
Beware of The Unrecognised Socialised Sociopaths wearing fancy suits and designer outfits! They will become your downfall and despair.
The good news is – THEY fear you – because you have too many loyal mates! Abetz is a sad and sorry loner, never to be trusted, or you’ll end up like sick and sorry me. VOTE 1 – GARBO.
Posted by Kevin Moylan on 21/07/18 at 10:23 AM[/i]
George Harris
July 22, 2018 at 03:34
Deleted. Obscenities.
mike seabrook
July 22, 2018 at 08:33
Don’t forget the Godwin Gretch debacle which he dropped Turnbull right into.
Chris
July 24, 2018 at 14:11
Like Father, like son. My German friend recalls Erica’s Father working in the HEC, and his rabid anti-union utterances .. ” a god unionist is a dead unionist.” I prefer to call him the ticket wrangler, just ask Chain Saw Colbeck.
Vote below the line and leave his name blank.
#30 … Quack quack,Gobble, gobble.
William Boeder
July 24, 2018 at 16:29
In reply to the authors of the comments that demonstrate the evils perpetrated by the Senator as specified.
There are a number of serious issues/events that have the State government on the back foot and trying to dismantle/diffuse/seek a settlement and non disclosure documents signed, in order to shut down the since discovered sinister goings-on in this State.
One in particular is to do with the TT Line Melbourne-Tasmania passenger and vehicle ferries with their lethal diesel particulates circulating in the atmospheres below decks known as cargo decks, this is where the vehicles and animals are stored in transit on both the toing and froing Spirit of Tasmania Ferries.
So for all intents and purposes this particular nightmare is being negotiated and every which way being silenced by every means known to the State government and their spooks….who are trying to put a tombstone lid upon this deadly serious affair………
It will be no easy task to hide from and or deny the fact-claim of the polluting, poisoning,life-endangering facts.
Their is powerful evidence available about the presence of the atmosphere-borne particulates that are known to be lethal to the deck-loading crews employed by the TT line.
(I wonder how soon these crew members will be compulsory wearing breathing masks to protect the lungs of the car-loading crews.
I can only hope that the bad guys involved in this serious affair will be publicly named then that this matter will be elevated into the Federal government arena so that an honest investigation can be undertaken without State government interference.
There are other sinister State government liable cases on the desks of government officials, as there are fact witnesses with their indisputable evidence that certain persons will not capitulate to government threats, nor any quasi-legal-discordant attempts to drop the pursuits against this State government.
One must not underestimate the guile of this State government’s officials and their accessory Liberal State government ministers to shut down the bad practices in this State.
A lot of energy is being expended to the shutting down of all further progress in these matters from being released to the general public.
William Boeder
July 24, 2018 at 20:48
#39 … With all respect to you Carol Rea I enclose a link to the glib claims and statements that demonstrate the beguilements and underhanded practices engaged in by this anti-the-Tasmanian-citizens Senator.
Then let the people not forget his behind the scenes tactics to remove his direct involvement in his strongly advocated tax minimising mono-species tree plantation investment schemes and shams, that were originally intended to support the deplorable intent of the now convicted John Gay planned and desired offensive polluting Pulp Mill.
This same Senator is also well known to utilise the thug element of bully-boys to attack and harass a certain well-respected citizen of this State, Mr. John Hawkins, presumably alleged to be some form of retaliatory action against this Senator, for Mr. Hawkins providing truth and fact,…though he may not have been necessarily praising the manifest failings of this reprehensible and integrity lacking State Senator.
There is also the Liberal Senator resultant huge voluminous debt wrought upon this State and its farmers and others that had caused so much crippling financial loss…then the huge losses that were incurred through and by the State government enterprise business of Forestry Tasmania.
Certainly not an acceptable legacy from a voodoo spell-casting fiddler of the truth.
Were this State government Governor office and and appointed Attorney General office to have sought for the proper carriage of transparent unbiased law, in order to see justice fairly delivered, then this State would surely have better prospered without that burden of impure justice heavily that is biased and grossly impaired.
I write here of the sordid history of an alleged despicable person known for practicing criminal like endeavours, is behind a number of sinister stealth engagements against the people of Tasmania, along with this persons alleged dishonestly acquired real-estate wealth,…then whatever other miscreant undertakings known to have been committed by this certain Senator person…then one would be pleasantly surprised and soon be anticipating the entry into Risdon Prison of a certain dishonorable sleazy embodiment of what is supposed to resemble and constitute a true representative State Senator.