Labor MPs rejected John Lenders’ ‘dodgy’ rorts-for-votes scheme

SEVERAL Labor MPs refused to participate in rorts-for-votes scheme, designed by former treasurer John Lenders, because of concerns the funding would breach parliamentary rules, it has been revealed.

EXCLUSIVE: Several Labor MPs refused to participate in the rorts-for-votes scheme because of concerns the funding would breach parliamentary rules.

The Herald Sun has confirmed that before the 2014 election several MPs, including some frontbenchers, rejected an approach by the architect of the controversial “red shirts” scheme, John Lenders.

The MPs told Mr Lenders they had concerns about the use of their electorate office budgets in the way that was planned, and held firm despite pressure to sign up to the scheme.

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MPs notified John Lenders of their concerns over the rorts-for-votes scheme.

The revelations bring into question Labor’s defence that 21 MPs, including six now ministers, who did join the red shirts scheme thought the funding was above board.

“The point here is that most knew it was dodgy. It’s just some had the strength to say no ... others didn’t,” one Labor figure said.

Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass last month found the red shirts funding scheme “crossed the line”.

Ms Glass found 21 Labor MPs inappropriately used $388,000 in taxpayer money to help Labor win the election.

The rort was revealed by the Herald Sun in 2015, and involved election campaign staff being paid two days a week by state parliament.

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Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass found the scheme “crossed the line”. Picture: AAP Image/Alex Murray

The new twist comes as explosive tensions ignite between major parties over the Liberal Party ratting on a “pairing” convention in state parliament, and as the government struggles to get clear air before the May 1 state Budget.

Fresh drama now looms with:

THE powerful Privileges Committee to begin probing Upper House MPs;

CALLS growing for the fresh inquiry to include public hearings; and

PRESSURE increasing on Sports Minister John Eren after a nightmare week in parliament.

Ms Glass found many MPs who participated in the scheme had broken the Member’s Guide and rules of parliament.

But the Ombudsman was unable to probe Lower House MPs about their knowledge of the dodgy funding.

Minister John Eren was named among the 21 MPs identified as rorters. Picture: Sarah Matray

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Confirmation that concerns about the funding existed among some Labor MPs will increase pressure on the government over the scandal.

The revelations come amid ongoing speculation in caucus about the fate of Mr Eren, who was one of six Andrews Government ministers among the 21 MPs identified as rorters.

In addition to being named in the Ombudsman’s report, Mr Eren now stands accused of misleading parliament over his 2015 denials about his role in the scandal.

“When you look at the fact he was involved in the scheme and then fumbled his response in parliament, he’s looking like the weak link here,” one Labor MP said.

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