Melton MP Don Nardella to repay ‘second residence’ allowance

DISGRACED MP Don Nardella has finally agreed to dig into his own pocket and repay state parliament ­about $2000 per fortnight for ­rorting taxpayer funds.

Don Nardella sitting in the House of Representatives. Picture: Jason Edwards

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DISGRACED MP Don Nardella has finally agreed to dig into his own pocket and repay state parliament ­about $2000 per fortnight for ­rorting taxpayer funds.

The Herald Sun has confirmed the Melton MP has reluctantly planned a deal under which he repays $98,254 he claimed through a controversial second ­residence ­allowance while living outside his electorate, in the seaside town of Ocean Grove. It would involve instalments taken from his fortnightly parliamentary pay, plus a lump sum of about $16,000.

The embattled MP was photographed on Friday at his electorate office by the Herald Sun, after being spotted in Daylesford last weekend.

State Melton Labor MP Don Nardella at his office in Melton. Picture: Tony Gough

Don Nardella at his office in Melton. Picture: Tony Gough

Late on Friday he released a statement saying the situation had caused stress to his family and he would cough up cash to try to end the saga.

A source said: “He didn’t want to pay it and he’s angry about being forced to ... But the threat of legislation left him no option.” The source said Mr Nardella had raised the prospect of not turning up to ­parliament next week, when the state Budget is handed down.

Some Andrews Government MPs were unaware of the decision but one said “about bloody time” upon being told of the repayment plan.

Mr Nardella still claims he acted within the rules of parliament when claiming up to $37,678 a year for living in the country, and maintaining a second residence in Melbourne. His “home base” in Ocean Grove was in a caravan park with a “no permanent residents” policy.

Don Nardella’s secret coast home at Ocean Grove Holiday Park. Picture: Mark Dadswell

DON NARDELLA ADMITS TO CLAIMING $100K IN LUCRATIVE ‘SECOND RESIDENCE’ ALLOWANCE

DISGRACED MELTON MP’S SECRET COAST ‘HOME’ REVEALED

In his statement, Mr Nardella said he had agreed to repay $98,254 before the November 2018 state election, to address the “significantly negative impact and distraction” the controversy had caused.

“I have taken this decision despite my ardent belief that I followed at all times the regulations as set down by the parliament,” he said in the statement. “The past several weeks have been very stressful and difficult for my family and I now wish to continue focusing on looking after the needs of my constituents and electorate.”

The stunning about-face comes after the Herald Sun questioned all MPs about their use of the controversial allowance in February.

Mr Nardella admitted he had claimed money for living in Ocean Grove and in an interview defiantly said: “That’s where I live.”

It was later revealed he had also claimed money while living in Ballarat between 2010 and 2014.

Mr Nardella said he would repay the money in instalments over the next 19 months.

Don Nardella says he will repay the money in instalments over the next 19 months. Picture: Jason Edwards

It comes after Premier Daniel Andrews this week announced parliament would be given new powers to force rorting MPs to repay money claimed under allowances, and an independent tribunal would set politicians’ pay and entitlements.

Mr Andrews had given Mr Nardella an ultimatum to repay the money before the sweeping changes, or risk being forced to pay, possibly through the introduction of retrospective legislation.

It is understood this drastic measure had shaken the former Labor MP, who initially quit the parliamentary party to sit as an independent, rather than repay money. He had also been forced to resign as Deputy Speaker.

Former Speaker and fellow Labor MP Telmo Languiller also resigned after being caught out claiming the allowance, despite representing a Melbourne electorate.

Mr Languiller has agreed to repay about $40,000.

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