The Age
David Rood and Reid Sexton
March 3, 2011
John Moncrieff, founder of The Brotherhood, described the Ombudsman’s
report as a ‘‘beat-up and slur’’.
IT'S an invitation-only men's group that lunches at exclusive Melbourne locations.
It counts some of the city's legal, business and policing elite among its
members and has been addressed by speakers from Sir Ian Botham
to competition watchdog Graeme Samuel.
But what exactly is The Brotherhood?
According to a damning Ombudsman's report, tabled in State Parliament
yesterday, it is an exclusive and secretive group that fosters a culture
allowing for "inappropriate networking and improper exchanging of
favours and information" and, potentially, illegal activity.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland has expressed his
deep concern over The Brotherhood, formed in 2003, saying it had
"the potential to undermine confidence in public institutions — especially policing".
Ombudsman George Brouwer's report found that a police officer on
the Brotherhood's email list, who did not attend meetings, used his
position in the Traffic Camera Office to wipe $2000 in speeding
fines incurred by the group's founder, former policeman John Moncrieff.
Police are investigating.
It also said that employees of Mr Moncrieff emailed members of The
Brotherhood seeking contacts within the public service bodies handling
business concerning his company.
The report— The Brotherhood — Risks associated with secretive
organisations — noted allegations that a senior police officer disclosed
the identity of a prosecution witness in a high-profile murder trial,
contrary to a Supreme Court suppression order.
It also reported allegations that a person who attended a Brotherhood
lunch asked a public officer to access confidential information.
But Mr Moncrieff said he was horrified that the club had been cast as
sinister, branding the report a "beat-up and slur" on his character.
Mr Moncrieff, who resigned from the police force in 1999 and runs a
security business, said it was a men's lunch club to bring together like-
minded people.
"We've had so many [public] identities involved and not one of them
has had any concerns," he told The Age. "This is purely a malicious
situation."
He said anyone could become a member if they were a "good bloke
and someone is vouching for you". He told the Ombudsman he was
considering changing the name to MOGI (Men of Good Ilk).
He said $2000 in speeding fines, incurred from his fleet of about 30
company cars, were withdrawn legitimately because it was impossible
to tell who was driving.
Group member and charity worker John Forbes OAM, a former
chairman of the foundation that commemorates the victims of the
Walsh Street police shootings and later became the Blue Ribbon
Foundation, said it was no different to other Melbourne clubs.
He said it raised money for charities and that it was not yet a crime in
Victoria to network.
"I'm just astounded that they waste time investigating a club like
The Brotherhood," he said.
"I can honestly say I've never heard anything untoward in all my
time there."
Distribution lists seen by The Age includes email addresses
from the Victorian bar, Racing Victoria, Victorian government
departments, WorkSafe and Victoria Police.
Up to 350 people are on the lists.
Lunches have been held at the Victoria Barracks and the Kelvin Club,
with guest speakers including The Age's John Silvester, 3AW's Neil
Mitchell and former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas. Thomas said it was
no different to dozens of other clubs he had spoken to.
Two Victorian MPs, Liberals Murray Thompson and Richard Dalla-Riva,
were also on email lists. But the Ombudsman said the MPs — whom he
did not name — had not attended lunches, had been included on lists
without their knowledge and had not responded to any requests for assistance.
Mr Thompson said he knew Mr Moncrieff, who runs a business in his
electorate of Sandringham, and had been added to the email list in recent
years. "I have never attended any Brotherhood function nor been involved
in any of its activities," he told The Age.
Mr Dalla-Riva said he was placed on the email list without his knowledge
and that he had no involvement. "I did not attend any Brotherhood lunches
nor respond to any requests."
Police Association secretary Greg Davies, who is not a member, said the
large number of people on the group's email list showed it was not secretive
and that, at just 14 pages, the report was shallow.
"If we're going to be up in arms about people of a like background getting
together to have a couple of beers and a meal we better shut down every
RSL in Australia."
Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said he had spoken at the club in
2007 and found it no different to the dozens of other clubs he has spoken to.
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