Liberal National Party blocks George Christensen’s $100k payout bid

If the LNP disendorsed the MP, he could have been eligible for a ‘resettlement allowance’ involving a taxpayer-funded payment, or six-months’ salary.

Dawson MP George Christensen. Picture: Matt Taylor.

Dawson MP George Christensen’s reported bid for six-figure taxpayer-funded payout has been thwarted.

On Monday, The Australian reported LNP officials had blocked the rogue MP’s bid for a $105,600 payout, weeks after his shock decision to quit politics.

The News Corp publication reported Mr Christensen had failed to withdraw his nomination and his local branch had requested LNP headquarters overturn its candidate approval and formally reject his nomination to stand at the next election.

If the party disendorsed the Dawson MP, he could be eligible for a “resettlement allowance” involving a taxpayer-funded payment of $105,600, or six-months’ salary.

But a senior LNP insider on Sunday said the party had since told Mr Christensen it would not permit the request and there was no reason to overturn the vetting committee’s original decision.

“They feared George was going to make trouble during budget week, and that he might cross the floor and vote against the government … there was only one decision to make, the right one, and block it and ensure the bureaucrats in Canberra saw what was on the table.’’

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Originally published as Liberal National Party blocks George Christensen’s $100k payout bid