Lavish gifts flow to Baillieu and state politicians

FOREIGN trips, golf clubs, fancy dinners and tickets to the hottest shows in town are among hundreds of gifts given to Premier Ted Baillieu and senior state government staff.

Previously secret gift registers from major government departments show hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of presents have been lavished on Mr Baillieu and senior public servants from sporting groups and the corporate world.

AFL Grand Final tickets, private art show viewings, fine food and wine and a $10,000 trip to London are among items on the registers, obtained after a seven-month Freedom of Information battle.

Mr Baillieu's register shows that while in office he has been given everything from Romanian cake from the Catholic Education Office to a mounted artillery shell from Gallipoli.

Some gifts - such as framed sports shirts, books, DVDs and an Akubra - have taken pride of place in Mr Baillieu's private office.

Others were put to use in the Premier's general office, but many have simply been put into storage boxes and are unlikely to ever see the light of day.

Among the most trivial gifts given to Mr Baillieu was a pair of "novelty item women's breasts". Posted to the Premier by an anonymous donor, they were deemed "offensive" and destroyed.

Gifts given to the Premier during state visits included a model ship from the Chinese Consul-General, a table cloth and silver plate from the President of Cyprus, a silver bowl and box from the Indian Minister for External Affairs, a silver dish from from the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs and silk ties, a stamp album and a resin plate from Chinese trade officials.

The artillery shell - given to Mr Baillieu by the Turkish Business Council - was accepted but set aside until it was "confirmed as safe, awaiting further advice".

Senior public servants shared in the spoils. A spokesman for Mr Baillieu said the gifts were carefully recorded and accepted only in line with public service protocols.

heraldsun.com.au 1 Apr 2012

Accepting bribes whilst in office is illegal, but since you are part of a ruling elite, you are untouchable and above the law.

More fraud and corrpution to follow and get swept under the carpet.

There are more crooked politicians than honest ones.