Rorting Labor MP’s overseas trips with girlfriend billed to taxpayer

A RORTING Labor MP has now been exposed for taking his girlfriend, who he also employed as his electorate officer, on several taxpayer-funded overseas jaunts. The Premier backed him this morning.

• New body to crackdown on rorting MPs to be considered

A RORTING Labor MP has now been exposed for taking his girlfriend, who he also employed as his electorate officer, on several taxpayer-funded overseas jaunts.

MP Telmo Languiller was forced to resign as Speaker of the Victorian parliament and repay $37,800 pocketed in a controversial second residence allowance meant for country MPs, after a probe exposed doubts he lived in the Queenscliff property he was claiming for.

The Herald Sun can now reveal he took partner Tatiana Astudillo on four trips costing more than $15,000 while Speaker, including to the US, Sri Lanka, and Fiji.

One Labor MP said on Wednesday night that Mr Languiller “was warned about how bad this would look”, while another described his disregard for taxpayers as “upsetting”.

At the time Ms Astudillo was working in his electorate office, an arrangement also frowned upon by some colleagues.

Premier Daniel Andrews backed Mr Languillier today.

“I don’t think there is any suggestion that the rules haven’t been followed. Not that I have heard,” he said.

“He like so many of the parliament from both sides of politics for decades has used the entitlement. As you may well know that entitlement comes to an end very soon. We have changed those rules, spousal travel will no longer be funded and will no longer be allowed.”

Mr Andrews declined to answer questions on Mr Languillier hiring his partner in his electorate office.

“That is a matter for him and a matter for the Parliament,” he said

After being approached by the Herald Sun, the former Speaker on Wednesday night admitted he took several trips with his partner. It is understood she was entitled to travel and did not breach parliamentary rules.

Telmo Languiller (second from right) and partner Tatiana Astudillo (far right) on a taxpayer-funded trip. Picture: Supplied

Telmo Languiller (in grey suit, third from left) and partner Tatiana Astudillo (standing next to Mr Languiller) on a taxpayer-funded trip. Picture: Supplied

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But the Andrews Government is scrapping the rule that allows partners on overseas travel, following a series of expenses scandals.

The pair travelled to Sri Lanka between January 8 and 12, 2016, visiting the national parliament.

He listed the cost of the trip as $4499. Ms Astudillo’s travel, funded out of his electorate spousal allowance, cost $2774.

In August 2016, the lovers travelled to US and Canada, Ms Astudillo flying as a partner and again being funded through the electorate spousal allowance, at a cost of $3141.72.

A trip by the couple to Fiji and Tonga in July last year was funded by state parliament.

Telmo Languiller and partner Tatiana Astudillo (second from left) on a taxpayer-funded trip. Picture: Supplied

Upper House president Bruce Atkinson and Clerk of the Parliament Ray Purdey were also at the Fijian parliament with their wives, with the costs yet to be made public.

A visit to Uruguay and ­Argentina — between April 15 and 25, 2016 — cost $4755, and involved Mr Languiller meeting politicians and officials. Mr Languiller said Ms Astudillo paid for the South American trip out of her own pocket.

Embattled speaker Telmo Languiller has now been exposed for taking his girlfriend, whom he also employed as his electorate officer, on several taxpayer-funded overseas jaunts. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Ms Astudillo worked in Mr Languiller’s Tarneit electorate office throughout 2016.

Mr Languiller defended taking his partner on the overseas trips, saying: “I travelled overseas with my partner four times while Speaker — all were in line with longstanding parliamentary guidelines.

“One trip was privately funded, one was funded by the parliament as part of an official visit, and two more were funded through the spousal allowance. I fully support the government’s decision to abolish the spousal allowance for overseas trips.”

The globetrotting former Speaker spent more than $50,000 in overseas travel on six trips from July 2015 to June 2016.

Opposition spokesman Tim Smith said the premier needed to guarantee Mr Languiller’s spending was within the rules.

“Victorian taxpayers are sick and tired of being used as a personal ATM by Daniel Andrews’ rorting Labor MPs,” Mr Smith said.

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