Victorian Speaker Telmo Languiller to repay ‘second residence’ allowance

VICTORIAN Speaker Telmo Languiller will repay the almost $40,000 he charged taxpayers for him to live in Queenscliff, at least 80km from his electorate.

Speaker Telmo Languiller will repay $37,678. Picture: AAP

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VICTORIAN Speaker Telmo Languiller will repay the almost $40,000 he charged taxpayers to live at least 80 kilometres from his electorate.

Mr Languiller used a property he owns in Queenscliff as his primary place of residence and a property in Footscray as his second residence, Fairfax today revealed.

Both properties are outside his electorate of Tarneit in Melbourne’s west.

The “second residence” allowance allowed him to claim $37,678 a year from taxpayers.

In a statement this morning, Mr Languiller said he would repay the money.

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“While all Members who live more than 80km from Parliament can claim this allowance, I fully accept that in my circumstances it doesn’t meet community expectations,” he said.

“To that end, I will repay the allowance I received in full.”

Treasurer Tim Pallas this morning said at least three times that entitlements for state politicians did not need to be changed.

“I don’t believe it’s a question of rules, it’s a question of people understanding what the right thing to do is,” Mr Pallas said.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, Premier Daniel Andrews, Deputy Premier James Merlino and Speaker Telmo Languiller. Picture: Martin Reddy

“We can produce reams of legislation that provide directions, but common sense is what should prevail here.

“In respect of this matter, I accept his judgment that he hasn’t accorded with community expectations.

“Having had the problem brought to his attention, that whilst he is strictly within the rules, it is not according with community expectations and he is rectifying the situation, and I think quite reasonably that’s all that will be asked of him.”

Mr Pallas denied his comments were a “cop-out”.

“The cop-out is where people say it is only a case of writing more and more restrictive rules,” Mr Pallas said.

“Of course, the media does a good job bringing things to light, shining a light on the behaviour of members of parliament demonstrates to the community we are not above and beyond the community’s expectations.”

Housing Minister Martin Foley said it was clear the Speaker has realised he had not met community expectations.

Emma King, the chief executive of Victorian Council of Social Service, said $40,000 “would make a world of difference to people living in poverty and disadvantage”.

“And I think that when we look at the rules of parliament, they don’t pass the pub test, I think the way the rules are set, the way their lived and the way the expectations are met in respect of those.”

Manager of opposition business Robert Clark said in Parliament this morning that the allegations against Mr Languiller were “very serious”.

“They are allegations that go to the heart of the capacity of this house to have confidence in you as our representative and the upholder of our standards, Mr Clark said.

He called on Mr Languiller to deliver a “full explanation” to the Legislative Assembly today, which the Speaker agreed he would do.

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