Daniel Andrews must make real changes to rules on second residence allowances

THE fact Telmo Languiller and Don Nardella have stepped down from their roles in the Victorian parliament must not mean the end of this sorry saga, writes Matthew Johnston.

Premier Daniel Andrews in parliament. Picture: Tim Carrafa

THE fact Telmo Languiller and Don Nardella have stepped down from their roles as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Victorian parliament must not mean the end of this sorry saga.

Mr Languiller pulled the pin because he couldn’t satisfy colleagues he was actually entitled to claim a second residence allowance worth almost $38,000 a year.

That’s a big admission given the dodgy rules that currently exist, and raises questions about whether integrity bodies need to get involved.

Then there’s Don Nardella.

He’s the Deputy Speaker who was originally asked whether he would pay back money he had claimed for living in Ocean Grove while representing Melton, and simply said “Ocean Grove is where I live”. No shame.

Now, he’s resigned after being told he would be dumped if he didn’t.

Labor MPs would have turfed “the Don” from the position as soon as their caucus met next.

Voters can’t fathom how some of these people could even try on what these two have claimed.

While technically within the rules they clearly fail the pub test.

Now all MPs will be under the pump to justify what they are taking from taxpayers.

And that’s the only good thing to come from this mess.

There’s now no doubt that there will be changes to MP entitlements now. About bloody time.

Premier Daniel Andrews needs to come up with real change, as he’s finally suggesting will happen.

Voters are sick of politicians promising accountability and then doing nothing of substance.

Politicians should have to disclose more about how their “entitlements” are used.

And obviously, the second-residence allowance must only be available to MPs who actually live in their own seat — and only if they hold a country seat.

The fact that this isn’t already the case shows what a joke the system is, and how out of touch many politicians are with reality, let alone voters.