New register of interest shows what South Australian MPs own, have shares in and who they take gifts from

A state MP has declared his pet dog Dusty – a bushfire survivor named after Richmond hardman Dustin Martin – on the updated register of interests. SEE WHAT YOUR MP HAS DECLARED

Leon Bignell and his Australian kelpie Dusty out the front of Parliament House on North Terrace. Picture: Tom Huntley

• What has your MP declared and what do they own? Exlore the data
• Office costs are being shared around to help vulnerable seats

It may be one of the strangest entries to be ever placed on South Australian MPs register of interests.

But Labor MP Leon Bignell says his Australian Kelpie Dusty – a Kangaroo Island bushfire survivor named after AFL hardman Dustin Martin – was a gift that money could not buy.

“He was one of the seven five-week-old pups who survived the fire that destroyed the home, sheds and vehicles of their owner Shane Leahy, who owns Kangaroo Island Garlic.

Dusty is one of seven dogs who survived a fire that destroyed their previous owner’s house on Kangaroo island. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Shane gave away six of the seven pups and I was fortunate enough to have Dusty come and be part of our family.

“I don’t have an exact value but I’d describe him as priceless.”

If state MPs are given gifts worth $750 or more they have to be disclosed.

“In 2019 an Australian record of $25,000 was set for a kelpie pup called Eveready Possum but if someone offered me $1 million for Dusty I wouldn’t take it.”

Mr Bignell’s declaration was one of many revealed in a new register of interests for MPs in SA Parliament’s Lower House this week.

Other gifts declared included tickets to Womadelaide, AFL football games and season passes to the races.

Environment Minister David Speirs has maintained the mantle of SA Parliament’s property magnate.

But new local Trade Minister Stephen Patterson has added a number of properties to his portfolio since declaring 12 months ago.

An update of interests by South Australia’s Canberra based MPs also shows a plethora of gifts with tickets to Womadelaide, hospitality at AFL games and horse races often accepted.

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham accepted tickets to see Irish rock royalty U2 at the Adelaide Oval.

Federal Labor sport spokesman Don Farrell accepted tickets to the Australian Open tennis, test cricket at the Adelaide Oval and the Melbourne Cup.