Monday 17 August 2015

Dyson Heydon on panel that gave Abbott Oxford scholarship - 1980

Oh looky looky. Royal Commissioner into those pesky evil unions who must be corrupt, Dyson Heydon (who was lined up to speak at a Lieberal fundraiser) it has come to light was on the panel that awarded Tony Abbott his scholarship in 1980 to go study at Oxford University in England; a Rhodes scholarship. Surely not just a coincidence now that Abbott hand picked him for the Royal Commission witch hunt?

 It was a surprise to many at the time as well, as others described Abbott as "second-grade footballer, third-rate academic and fourth-class politician." He was 23 at Sydney University (pictured with the bandages from his circumcision).

Dyson Heydon, the royal commissioner under mounting pressure to quit over his links to the Liberal Party, was on a panel that awarded a young Tony Abbott a life-changing scholarship to Oxford University. 

Mr Heydon was part of the seven-member Rhodes Trust selection committee in NSW that in 1980 handed the prestigious Rhodes scholarship to the future prime minister, then a 23 year-old student politician at Sydney University. 

According to documents seen by Fairfax Media at the NSW state archives on Monday, the selection committee was chaired by former NSW Governor, Sir Roden Cutler and "Professor JD Heydon" was a member. 

The emergence of the Rhodes scholarship connection sets the personal relationship between Mr Abbott and his hand-picked judge to lead the trade union royal commission back decades. 

Mr Abbott is under pressure to sack the commissioner after it was revealed he had been lined up to speak at a Liberal fundraiser before abruptly cancelling his appearance last week. Read more  
Jobs for the boys? 






 
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