Media Release - Brian Burke not so easy to wash aw

BRIAN BURKE NOT SO EASY TO WASH AWAY

“West Australian Education Minister Mark McGowan is under pressure to resign for having email contact with Brian Burke in 2005, while the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd continues to dodge answering questions about the same activity”, Shadow Justice Minister Christopher Pyne said today.

The incident reported in the media today concerns an email exchange between Brian Burke and WA Minister Mark McGowan, which has sparked calls for his resignation.

The emails between Mr McGowan and Mr Burke occurred during a period where former WA Premier Geoff Gallop had imposed a blanket ban on his Ministers and their staff having any contact with Mr Burke.

During that same period the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, then Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, personally engaged in email negotiations with Mr Burke to arrange a dinner with journalists.

“This is a reminder that the Prime Minister has never fully responded to the questions the Opposition has put to him about his dealings with Mr Burke,” Mr Pyne said.

“Serious questions remain unanswered about the email exchanges between Mr Rudd and Mr Burke. For example:

In his March 1, 2007 ‘Tell-all’ Press Conference, Mr Rudd stated:

‘When Mr Burke made efforts to organise that (the ‘journalist’s dinner’) and I became aware of that, I declined that offer.

‘My recollection is that when I found out that arrangements had been put in place, that’s when I became concerned, that’s when I took immediate action.

‘… my recollection is that I found out that arrangements had been put in place, that’s when I became concerned, that’s when I took action to indicate that I would not be attending…

‘Because it’s just a question of politeness, you just, I was actually a bit surprised when it all took material shape and when it took material shape, what I then did was to indicate that I would not be taking up that offer.’

However, emails between Mr Rudd and Mr Burke were comprehensive on the subject and show Mr Rudd’s personal and ongoing involvement in organising the dinner:

--Original Message-----

From: Brian Burke

Sent: Tuesday, 11 October 2005

To: Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Dear Kevin,

As discussed, I am happy arrange dinner with the senior WA journalists when next you are in Perth. Please let me know availability if you wish me to do so.

Regards

-----Original Message-----

From: Tilley, Gina (K. Rudd, MP) on Behalf of Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Sent: Tuesday, 12 October 2005

To: [email protected]

Dear Mr Burke,

Thank you for your email. I will ensure Kevin receives your correspondence.

Kind regards,

-----Original Message-----

From: Brian Burke

Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2005

To: Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Dear Kevin,

Do you wish me to arrange the “Journalists Dinner” about which I contacted you? Graham Edwards attended the similar function organised for Bill Shorten and can discuss the detail with you.

Regards

-----Original Message-----

From: Tilley, Gina (K. Rudd, MP) on Behalf of Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Sent: Tuesday, 29 November 2005

To: Brian Burke

Dear Brian

I have to head up to Hong Kong for the WTO meeting on 13 December but I could catch a flight from Perth – making the night of Monday 12 December free for a dinner in Perth.

Would that suit you?

Regards

Kevin

-----Original Message-----

From: Brian Burke

Sent: Tuesday, 29 November 2005

To: Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Dear Kevin, That would be fine. I propose the following guest list:

(NB this is an abridged extract with only names and organisation listed. Mr Burke’s commentary on each person has not been included.)

The Hon Kevin Rudd MHR - Guest of Honour

Mark Drummond – Chief Reporter West Australian, Paul Murray – Host morning program on Radio 882, Rebecca Carmody – Host of ABC Stateline, Reece Whitby – Political Editor Channel 7, Karen Brown – Editor of The Australian’s Perth bureau, Amanda Banks – Political Editor of The Australian’s Perth bureau, Robert Taylor – Political Editor at West Australian, Peter Kennedy – Political Editor at ABC, Bob Maumill – Talkback host on 882 6PR

Graham Mason – 2IC to Robert Taylor, Sarah Burke, Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Norm Marlborough MLA, Bill Johnston (Late – after ALP State Executive), Kevin Reynolds, Graham Edwards MHR, Senator Mark Bishop

Regards

-----Original Message-----

From: Tilley, Gina (K. Rudd, MP) on Behalf of Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Sent: Tuesday, 29 November 2005

To: Brian Burke

Brian,

This looks great. Is there room for my Senior Adviser, Alister Jordan, who will be travelling with me?

Regards,

Kevin

-----Original Message-----

From: Brian Burke

Sent: Wednesday, 29 November 2005

To: Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Dear Kevin, Absolutely. Regards

-----Original Message-----

From: Tilley, Gina (K. Rudd, MP) on Behalf of Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Sent: Tuesday, 29 November 2005

To: Brian Burke

Thanks Brian. Kevin

-----Original Message-----

From: Tilley, Gina (K. Rudd, MP) on Behalf of Rudd, Kevin (MP)

Sent: Monday, 5 December 2005

To: Brian Burke

Dear Brian

I’m really sorry to do this but I am being stuffed around a bit by DFAT for the Hong Kong Ministerial WTO meeting.

They told me this morning that they now want the whole delegation in town on the Monday. They may yet change their minds again – I’m not sure. Rather than withdraw from the dinner at the last minute, could I be rude and put it off until next year – giving you and the invitees time to rearrange your Monday night. I would prefer to do this than have to pull out later in the week when DFAT finally makes up its mind. Is that OK? Sorry to do this – out of my hands.

“Mr Rudd demonstrated spectacularly bad judgement, choosing to interact with Mr Burke, despite a ban being placspaed upon his West Australian Labor colleagues in contacting him,” Mr Pyne said.

“His explanations at the March press conference regarding the arrangements for the dinner were exposed as woefully inadequate in the emails that were subsequently released by the Prime Minister’s office under pressure from the Opposition,” he said.

“He still needs to explain these inconsistencies, and they will dog his career every time Mr Burke is embroiled in another scandal until he does,” Mr Pyne said.

28th April 2008

Media Contact: Adam Howard

0400 414 833