8th December 1999
They are a close knit bunch at Manly but the greatest benefactor of the Pauline Hanson phenomenon has, without doubt, been David Ettridge's private company, Champions Magazine Pty Ltd.
While the new party was in its formative stage with membership
exploding the One Nation accounts (between May and August 1997) reflect a
contract payment figure exceeding $40,000 being paid directly to Ettridge's
company while nearly $10,000 has to be added to that figure for claimed
expenses paid directly to Champions during this period.
(ie about $50,000 paid by One Nation to Champions in four months).
Image right: Ettridge "see no evil".
In one month alone $12,500 in "contract fees" were paid to Ettridge's Champions by poverty stricken One Nation - this was about the sum that Pauline's army of unpaid volunteers, Whiteside's Pauline Hanson Support Movement had raised before being taken over by the Ettridge blitz and Whiteside was declared a "whiteant".
This information on Champions' income comes to me from an impeccable source following the revelation yesterday by Ken Hunter that Pauline Hanson's One Nation Limited financial returns for 1997 had not yet lodged.
I attempted to get copies of the 1997 and 1998 financial returns of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Ltd (ACN 079 986 913) "the company" from ASIC but was told they have not been lodged. I was told the 1997 return should have been lodged no later than the 15/4/99.
Let us remember that Ettridge's role, according to Hanson, was to be FUND RAISER - something he has failed abysmally at. Ettridge's main role as has been revealed in the ongoing expose on Manly is very different. He controls by intimidation and secrecy.
The One Nation office has been a useful homebase for Ettridge company's private ventures. 1997 was a particularly exciting time for him with the launch of his "Champions Magazine" aimed at school kids. Champions was launched on the back of contract fees received from One Nation by this self-professed wonder-marketing man. Champions was run from the One Nation Manly office by Ettridge with One Nation's staff, like Kimberley McLean, being used to pen letters on the magazine's behalf.
This at a time when complaints were increasing about a total lack of response from the Manly office by members (the major source of One Nation's income). I received a growing number of complaints while working on-line for One Nation on an unpaid volunteer basis during this period.
I recall the time well and unfortunately, without question, accepted Ettridge's explanation that the workload and paperwork was swamping the small Manly office. I had not heard about Champions at this stage... another well-kept secret.
Now, sadly, I have to reflect on Bruce Whiteside's observation during his first meeting with Ettridge when he accused him of being a "con man".
It would be interesting to get an independent auditor in to see how much Champions Magazine Pty Ltd and any other Ettridge related enterprises have been gratuitously paid from the hard work of One Nation's now ever decreasing membership. I am particularly intrigued by Modern Desktop Publishing which appears to have hit a goldmine through One Nation.... remember about five million dollars have floated through that little Manly office in under three years!
One can only speculate as to how well Ettridge and associated businesses have done through the "people's party" while the membership are fed lies that there are horrible whiteants trying to destroy the party that HE built... talk about a hidden agenda! Today One Nation is cash strapped I doubt whether Champions Magazine Pty Ltd faces such an uncertain financial future.
The only way that we can confirm my well-founded allegation is through a thorough independent audit. I am willing to stake my reputation on the accuracy of my claim over funds received by Champions Magazine Pty Ltd between May and August 1997 ... is Ettridge or the national executive up to taking the simple challenge of accountability?
Stop being "yes men"....
I call for the national executive to test my allegation that Ettridge's company, Champions, received nearly $50,000 between May and August 1997 from One Nation at a time he was telling me that the party could not afford to pay him a wage. If I am correct, which I believe I am, I call on the national executive to demand that the books be comprehensively audited by a totally independent body.
A good platform is available to the New South Wales state executive when they meet this Saturday at Dubbo. I call on them to forget about the petty targeting of John Karnau for expulsion by Ettridge and to concentrate on Champions, payments made to Ettridge related enterprises and accountability at Manly. Remember you have a job to do representing the general membership - not Manly's agenda.
I now reflect on the
Pauline Hanson's
first birthday party where ten people each donated $500 on my suggestion
(image right). We called it the
"500
Club". Most of the money received was paid in cash by the "500
Club" members. I, as one of the members, handed over the money to Ettridge
and was stunned to see him hand over a large portion of this to pay the band...
in cash... no receipts, no invoices... just cash!
In summary while One Nation members are continually told that the party is cash-strapped by Manly, Ettridge's company looks good and financially healthy... of course anyone who dares question "head office" is a threat to the gravy train and, of course, an enemy of the party.....
work that one out!