Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 1 October 1952, page 1


Corruption charges shock Siate Parliament

SIX MEMBERS SWEAR BRIBES

OFFERED FOR

THEIR VOTE

SENSATIONAL charges of attempted

bribery of members of Parliament were made by Mr. Norman, Liberal leader, in the Legislative Assembly

He laid charges

Mr. Norman, L.C.P.

leader

yesterday.

Mr. Norman said he had six sworn affidavits, one by Sir Archie Michaelis, Speaker, alleging attempts to buy support for Mr. Hollway's no-confidence

motion on redistribution.

Mr. Norman said: "Sir Archie Michaelis has stated that on September 16 a man named Raymond Ellinson called on him at

Parliament House.

"Mr. Ellinson said that he had just left the Hotel Windsor, where he had been with Mr. Hollway, Sir Gordon Snow and, Sir Archie Michaelis understood him to say, Mr. Cain.

"He said that Ellinson said they - ap. parently the people he had just left - would

do the world for him if the Speaker helped

them in the crisis.

"He said that Sir Archie could be AgentGeneral, could have a further term as Speaker, and would not be opposed at the

next election.

"After advising Ellinson that he would act in accordance with precedent in anything in connection with his position as Speaker, Sir Archie Michaelis goes on to say that Ellin-son rang him at a later stage and said that Mr. Hollway and Sir Gordon Snow were most anxious to see him at the Hotel Windsor.

"Sir Archie Michaelis refused to see

them.

"One of the other affidavits mentions an offer to a member to obtain his support for

the motion.

"The offer included the Premiership, Labor support at the next election, immunity from Labor opposition, and £5,000.

"The £5,000 was to be paid into a trust account immediately, to protect the member, should the immunity and support not be

forthcoming.

"Another affidavit in-volved allegations of a cash offer to a member of this House by a mem-ber of a trade organisa-

tion.

"I have several other affidavits which I need not read in detail, as I believe I have conveyed to the House the serious-ness of the charges in-

volved."

Mr. McDonald, Premier, informed the House that he would seek Crown law ad-vice on whether a select committee or a Royal Com-mission should be appointed to inquire.

Last night Mr. Cain, Mr. Hollway, and Sir Gordon Snow each denied any com-plicity or knowledge of the

matters involved.

Mr. Raymond Ellinson of Mitford st.. St. Kilda, cloth-ing manufacturer, said: "The whole thing is nonsense."

9 Full details of debate and statements, Back Page.