Another MP claims away from home allowance while staying on his yacht

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Roy Butler has revealed just like Nationals MP Kevin Anderson, he too has been living on his boat during parliamentary sitting nights while pocketing living away from home benefits — and says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

• SES concerned about overflow at Warragamba Dam
• Shore students told to remove ‘deeply offensive’ TikTok vid

Nationals MP Kevin Anderson last week copped flak for “occasionally” sleeping on his boat while pocketing a $300 “living away from home” benefit designed to help regional pollies pay for accommodation when in the city.

But Anderson is not the only pollie drawn to the water.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Roy Butler has told The Sauce he is also sleeping on his yacht during sitting nights — and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Butler, who bought the yacht in September last year before sailing it down from Queensland, said it was not to save dollars — berthing alone costs $1500 a month — rather, it was simply more enjoyable than “living out of suitcase” in a hotel.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Roy Butler has been sleeping on his yacht during parliamentary sitting days. Picture: Peter Lorimer

He also cleared it with the parliamentary entitlements officers to ensure it was above board.

The Barwon MP, whose landlocked electorate covers almost half the state, said the boat was a more affordable option than purchasing a city apartment.

MORE FROM THE SAUCE:

Nats defector sparks Macquarie St office shuffle

Nats MPs line up to out Barilaro for angry texts

Butler said he was also planning to make greater use of it by inviting his constituents to spend a day on the harbour.

“They can come out and bend my ear,” he said.

PARTY’S OVER

If it’s safe enough to attend a party or sporting event, it’s safe enough to come to work.

That’s the view of Cumberland City Council mayor Steve Christou who last week expressed his “extreme disappointment” that some of his councillors were still dialling in to council meetings instead of turning up to meetings in person.

Cumberland City mayor Steve Christou has called on councillors to attend meetings in person again.

The dialling in to meetings was occurring despite some of them allegedly turning up to social events.

“I have been approached by several residents, asking why some councillors are dialling into our public meetings using computer technology like Zoom, when they are still able to attend social gatherings like parties and sporting events in person,” Mr Christou.

“I am concerned that this sends a very poor message to our community.”

SEEING GREEN

The battle lines have been drawn in Warringah where Liberals are rallying to reclaim the once prized blue-ribbon seat they lost to green independent MP Zali Steggall.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Steven Saphore

And if the presence of Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley as guest speaker at Tuesday night’s conference gathering is anything to go by, the fight once again will feature green issues, or as Ley put it, “practical environmentalism”.

It was the first gathering of the Warringah conference since the pandemic, with more than 100 members from across the factional spectrum turning up — in a socially distanced fashion — to Manly Golf Club to hear Ley speak. Others in attendance included Senator Andrew Bragg and conference president, former Woolworths chairman Roger Corbett.

“It was a strong showing with lots of enthusiasm,” one attendee said.

“It was putting a stake in the sand. The environment is Zali’s reason for existence but we will be demonstrating to voters not only in Warringah but around Australia that the Coalition has a very compelling environmental policy. Tony didn’t want a bar of it, but it won’t be a weakness for us. There was a real sense of unity.”

Now for a candidate.

LIBERAL BRAND

Just over a month since a Premier Gladys Berejiklian-backed proposal to strip the Liberal brand from council was sensationally put before the party’s state executive, debate is continuing behind-the-scenes.

Under the proposal, Liberal Party members would still be able to run for council, but not as endorsed candidates. Given the September council elections may well coincide with the next federal election, it is no wonder senior Liberals want to eliminate any potential trouble involving the party brand.

GOT SOME SAUCE? Contact [e-mail] or [e-mail]