As we stand on the brink of another critical juncture in the political arena of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the debate over whether to continue with the current Labor administration resurfaces. While some may see this as a typical political discourse, it is vital to examine the deeper ramifications of this choice, especially in light of troubling historical details that often remain hidden from the public eye.

One striking issue that may not be on many citizens’ radar is the large amount of money that has been unaccounted for in the ACT home loan portfolio for around 25 years. This discrepancy was first highlighted in a public interest disclosure back in 2000, alerting the ACT government to the financial irregularity. Despite being aware of this, the matter has remained largely unaddressed, casting serious doubts on the transparency and accountability of our government.

Furthermore, there are claims suggesting that the Australian Labor Party (ALP) may have received a substantial portion of these missing funds. If proven true, this could severely impact the party’s integrity and the trust vested in it by voters.

My own experiences underscore the seriousness of this issue. In 2017, I faced politically driven charges, which I strongly believe were an attempt to silence me regarding the missing funds. At the core of this controversy was Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, who allegedly consented to my prosecution. The circumstances of this case raise significant concerns about the ethical behaviour of our political leaders and the institutions tasked with upholding justice.

The actions of the ACT Solicitor General are particularly disquieting. It seems there was a deliberate move to refer inauthentic material to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), material that was not part of the affidavit I submitted to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT). This casts doubt on the integrity of the legal process and the motivations behind such actions. Had the case not gone in my favour, I might have faced a prison sentence of up to eight years. However, I succeeded with an unanimous 16-0 verdict. Although this outcome is reassuring, it doesn’t address the underlying issues of political and public service accountability that continue to linger.

As we deliberate over the future governance of the ACT, it is crucial to consider these questions of governance and integrity. We must ask ourselves whether we can place our trust in a government that has potentially ignored a major financial anomaly for decades and engaged in actions that destabilise the core principles of our democracy.

Keeping the current Labor government in power in the ACT could indeed prove to be a step backward. We must prioritise transparency, accountability, and integrity in our political leadership. As citizens, it is our duty to demand explanations and ensure our government functions with the utmost ethical standards. It is time to engage in meaningful discussions about the direction of our Territory and hold our leaders accountable for their actions. We must ensure that the shadows of the past do not shape our future