Labor MP stand down from upper house position as IBAC continue to probe printing rort allegations

EMBATTLED MP Khalil Eideh has officially left his coveted Deputy President role as investigations continue into the alleged “cash-for-stacks” printing rort.

Victorian MP Khalil Eideh. Picture: Wayne Taylor, AAP

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EMBATTLED MP Khalil Eideh has officially stood down from his position as Deputy President in the Victorian Parliament while corruption investigators probe his office.

The Labor politician announced he would give up the highly coveted Legislative Council position from today while awaiting the outcome of the investigations.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission launched a preliminary probe into Mr Eideh’s office last month over the alleged “cash-for-stacks” printing rort claims.

It came after whistleblowers made allegations to the Herald Sun that money was being siphoned from taxpayer printing budgets to pay for ALP memberships from several Labor MP’s electorate offices.

It is understood up to $200,000 worth of invoices from Mr Eideh’s Cairnlea office have raised concerns.

Khalil Eideh has stepped down from his position as Deputy President in the Victorian Parliament. Picture: David Smith

Khalil Eideh embraces office manager Robert Mammarella. Picture: David Smith

In the letter provided to the chamber, Mr Eideh denied knowledge of the scheme but said it was his duty to step aside until the investigation was done.

“As you know matters relating to my electoral office have recently been referred to IBAC, as I have previously stated I have not knowingly done anything that would lead to an adverse finding against me and I continue to profess my innocence of any wrongdoing.

“Not withstanding my innocence I am conscious that allegations about matters involving my electorate office result in unhelpful speculation about my role as Deputy President, which may distract from the standing of the house.

“I am keen to protect the reputation of the house, just as I am keen to protect my own reputation. I wish to stand aside from my duties as Deputy president, commencing immediately, until the reported outcome of any IBAC process.”

The upper house position is highly coveted and comes with an allowance worth thousands of dollars per week on top of the annual member’s wage.

Mr Eideh’s office manager Robert Mammarella has denied any wrongdoing. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Eideh has resisted growing pressure to stand down over the past two months after he asked the Victorian Parliament to take over his office.

The Coalition had a motion before the house to remove Mr Eideh, which will now be dropped.

Corruption investigators began their inquiries last month.

Coalition Leader Matthew Guy said the Andrews Government was too slow to act following the revelations.

“Daniel Andrews should have stood him aside weeks ago instead of trying to cover this up,” Mr Guy said.

“This corruption investigation into Daniel Andrews’ Government still has a long way to go.”

At the centre of the allegations is Mr Eideh’s office manager Robert Mammarella, who has denied any wrongdoing.