Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley cleared as flyer content gets tick, despite challenge from Liberal MP Inga Peulich
NARRE Warren South state Labor MP Judith Graley has been cleared of wrongdoing in relation to a flyer produced with money from her electoral allowance.
South East
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NARRE Warren South state Labor MP Judith Graley has been cleared of wrongdoing in relation to a flyer produced with money from her electoral allowance.
But State Liberal MP for the South East Metropolitan Region, Inga Peulich, insists the flyer — ironically relating to misuse of public funds — was political and that Ms Graley should claim its production and distribution costs from her party and not the public purse.
“Ms Graley should repay the full cost of publication and the postage paid return charges to her taxpayer-funded Australia Post account,” Mrs Peulich said.
Addressing Parliament, Legislative Council president Bruce Atkinson said Mr Graley’s publication “was passed after an objective assessment” of its contents.
He also commented on the importance of maintaining a separation between political and informative material.
Ms Peulich said these comments related directly to Ms Graley.
Asked for clarification by Leader, Mr Atkinson said he was speaking only generally in relation to the risk of double standards and not specifically about Ms Graley’s brochure.
Ms Peulich said she maintained her belief Mr Atkinson’s comments to the House were directed specifically at Ms Graley’s claim.
Ms Graley said Ms Peulich’s allegations were “rubbish”, as proven by the comments from Mr Atkinson.
“I don’t believe he would have held back if he thought I was wrong,” Ms Graley said.
“I have never been contacted by either the President, Speaker or Parliamentary Services about this matter.”