TIMELINE OF STUART ROBERT CLAIMS
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2022
November
- Nine newspapers reports allegations of connection between consultants Synergy 360, former Liberal minister Stuart Robert and contracts in the National Disability Insurance Agency and Services Australia.
- Mr Robert denies any involvement in helping or advising Synergy 360 and says his departments properly applied probity rules.
December
- Labor government launches an independent review led by former top bureaucrat Ian Watt into the procurement processes.
2023
March
- Watt report flags 19 out of 95 procurements for further investigation due to "inconsistencies with the rules or good practice". The value of the 19 procurements was $374m. Five of the procurements were for the NDIA and 14 for Services Australia.
- Mr Shorten writes to the parliamentary audit committee to consider issues raised by the Watt review.
May
- Stuart Robert formally resigns from his seat of Fadden, standing by his previous statements.
- Audit committee starts its work a week later and releases a trove of emails which fuelled the Watt review.
June
- Audit committee inquiry hears from Infosys, detailing a series of 11 meetings with the minister and payments to Synergy 360 totalling $16m. Infosys says it has severed links with Synergy 360.
- Committee releases a signed statement, under parliamentary privilege, from Anthony Daly, one of the founders of Synergy 360, alleging a financial arrangement was put in place to secure Mr Robert's involvement and support in acquiring federal government contracts.
- Mr Shorten asks Services Australia for advice on further action. He says it is up to the independent National Anti-Corruption Commission to consider whether it should examine the matter.
Australian Associated Press
