Clerk quizzed after ‘Big Trev’ medal claim

LABOR has quizzed the Clerk of the Parliament over checks made in relation to the Parliamentary website in the wake of revelations Longman LNP candidate Trevor Ruthenberg wrongly claimed he was awarded a distinguished military honour.

• Budget Estimates: Rolling coverage

LABOR has quizzed Clerk of the Parliament Neil Laurie over the checks made to biographical information about MPs uploaded to the Parliamentary website in the wake of revelations Longman LNP candidate Trevor Ruthenberg wrongly claimed he was awarded a distinguished military honour.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott and LNP candidate for Longman Trevor Ruthenberg at the Woodford cattle sales yards yesterday. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

The Courier-Mail revealed last week Mr Ruthenberg had listed on the parliamentary website and a personal website as well as the now defunct former Newman government website that he was awarded a distinguished Australian service medal rather than another Australian defence medal that is awarded to people who have completed four years of military service.

He has since apologised for what he described as an “honest mistake”.

Pine Rivers MP Nikki Boyd asked during this morning’s Budget Estimates session what process was followed before such information was uploaded.

Mr Laurie told that the House MPs first filled out a form and then Parliament compiled that information into a document and sent it back to the MP for checking and sign-off.

“We don’t publish anything until we send back to the member the first version or the amended versions and they sign off on it,” he said.

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Leader of Opposition Business Jarrod Bleijie took issue with the question.

“Worried about the polls are you?” he interjected in reference to the Longman by-election this weekend.

Committee chair Linus Power ruled it was in order and allowed it.