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June 5th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
Geoff Shaw. Photo: John Woudstra
FRANKSTON MP Geoff Shaw will come under intense scrutiny after allegations he misused his parliamentary vehicle were referred to the Victorian Ombudsman.
Speaker Ken Smith yesterday revealed that Ombudsman George Brouwer would use his wide-ranging powers to investigate the claims, which have rocked the Baillieu government since they emerged last month.
In a brief statement, Mr Smith told Parliament he had referred the matter to Mr Brouwer and that he would pass on information he had received from whistleblowers.
In a statement last night, Mr Shaw said he welcomed the investigation and had fully assisted Mr Smith. But he repeated his intention not to publicly address the allegations.
Anonymous whistleblowers told the Sunday Herald Sun last month that Mr Shaw directed employees at his hardware store to use his taxpayer-funded Ford Territory and fuel cards for numerous business trips.
They allegedly learnt of employees travelling to Adelaide, Canberra and regional Victoria, trips that began after Mr Shaw won the seat in 2010.
He has denied the claims but declined repeated requests to answer questions.
Premier Ted Baillieu referred the matter to Mr Smith, as head of the Department of Parliamentary Services, for investigation.
Mr Baillieu has since repeatedly maintained that Mr Smith is the appropriate person to lead the investigation, but the decision to refer the matter to the Ombudsman reflects growing concern about the matter.
The investigation will create a headache for the government, which clings to power by a single seat. Mr Shaw holds the seat by a margin of 2.1 per cent.
Mr Smith said he would not comment further until the investigation was completed.
Ordinarily Mr Brouwer does not have jurisdiction over elected officials but the referral means he will be able to investigate Mr Shaw and potentially refer the matter to police.
Mr Brouwer’s extensive powers include the ability to obtain information under oath from anyone deemed a witness – without holding a hearing, to demand relevant documents and to override certain privileges that usually protect disclosure of information.
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