Ombudsman to investigate AFP over not investigating Choppergate

Not a lot will come out of it even though the Ombudsman may well find that the Australian Federal Police should very well have investigated Bronwyn Bishop for fraud over Choppergate. They can't change the decision. However it would certainly be more egg on the face for Team Abbott.

I note also it was Lieberal Nick Minchin in the dastardly Howard gov, giving the Howard Lieberals a free ride. Looks like the free ride is coming to a bit of a road block.  

A letter from the Ombudsman's office to a member of the public unhappy with the AFP's actions shows there are grounds for an investigation into the AFP's general use of the Minchin Protocol, as well as its explanation for refusing to investigate Mrs Bishop's spending. 

The Ombudsman's operations director, Anne-Maree Harrison, has been assigned the investigation. 

The Ombudsman has powers to investigate government departments but does not have the power to overturn a decision or compel an agency to take any action. However its findings have the potential to further embarrass the Abbott government, which has been reeling from damaging stories about the spending habits of a number of high-profile MPs. 

Mrs Bishop's critics have questioned whether she committed a criminal offence by signing a form stating the $5000 chopper ride from Melbourne to a Liberal Party fundraiser in Geelong was for official purposes. 

The original complaint to the Ombudsman was made by Tony Yegles, the co-publisher of the No Fibs citizen journalism website. 

"The protocol is not a legal process," Mr Yegles wrote. "It is an administrative process. It has no standing in law. The AFP is not bound by that protocol nor do they fall under any legal obligations to refer to it." Read more