Greens MP to have deciding vote on open rorts-for-votes probe

GREENS MP Nina Springle will have the deciding vote on whether a parliamentary probe into Labor’s $388,000 rorts scheme will be open to the public.

A GREENS MP will on Friday have the deciding vote on whether a parliamentary probe into Labor’s rorts-for-votes scheme will have public hearings.

At the first meeting of the Legislative Council privileges panel, chair James Purcell, an independent, and three Coalition MPs will back the move to open meetings.

But three Labor MPs want the process held behind closed doors.

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Greens MP Nina Springle will therefore be the make-or-break vote on whether Victorian taxpayers will hear the full story of the scam, which saw $388,000 rorted from the public funds.

There must be a clear majority vote for open proceedings. If Ms Springle sides with Labor MPs Jaclyn Symes, Philip Dalidakis and Daniel Mulino and the result is 4-4, the proceedings will not be heard in public.

Ms Springle has a longstanding policy that she does not comment on committee matters. She will cast her vote later on Friday.

Greens MP Nina Springle. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The probe was approved by the Upper House in March after Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass found the Labor Party had wrongly funnelled money from parliamentary budgets to pay for campaign staff ahead of the 2014 state election.

Following weeks of delays, Mr Purcell was appointed chair this week and publicly declared his position.

“I intend to do all I can to make sure the process is fully transparent and that all proceedings and information is made available to the public,’’ he said.

“The final report from the privileges committee will likely be very close to the November election, so I do understand the importance of this report as it could have an influence on what is looking like a very close election.”

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