Bill Shorten reveals review into Stuart Robert ‘lobbying scandal’ claims
The former Coalition minister denies he influenced government contracts, declaring in parliament he had zero involvement'
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Revelations that Stuart Robert met consultants who facilitated access for a company bidding for lucrative contracts in his portfolio of government services are concerning", Bill Shorten has told federal parliament.
Shorten, the government services minister, revealed after question time on Wednesday that Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency had agreed to establish a joint review" into the Synergy 360 lobbying scandal".
2 October 2018: the ECE tender opened - three companies including Infosys were shortlisted.
29 May 2019: the member for Fadden was appointed minister for human services and the NDIS.
26 June 2019: leaked emails reveal the minister met Infosys and his good friend Milo, a paid consultant to Infosys, in Sydney.
2 July 2019: final valuation was submitted - negotiations on value and period of contract continued for another four months.
8 November 2019: Infosys was awarded the first of four contracts valued at $18m.
19 November 2019: the minister met Infosys.
30 December 2019: the minister met his friend Milo on the Gold Coast, which triggered an email from Milo saying minister gave insights on progress of Infosys and future opportunities".
1 February 2020: the minister was guest speaker at an Infosys conference at Melbourne Park on the afternoon of the Australian Open tennis finals.
1 July 2020: Infosys was awarded a further $142m contract.
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