Vic Parliament to investigate new body to look into rorts-for-votes scandals and MP allowance issues

A NEW independent body to crack down on MPs rorting public funds will be considered by a parliamentary committee — despite the Andrews’ Government rallying against the move.

A NEW independent body to crack down on MPs rorting public funds will be considered by a parliamentary committee, despite the Andrews Government rallying against the move.

Greens Leader Greg Barber moved a motion in the Legislative Council for an inquiry to consider a new body to investigate scandals including the Labor Party’s election rorts-for-votes scheme and the second home allowance debacle.

RORTS FOR VOTES PROBE

VICTORIAN MP EXPENSES SCANDAL FINAL REPORT RELEASED

Mr Barber told the chamber “these crooks and rorters always wriggle off the hook.’’

“Current standards are sloppy and there’s no accountability. Leaving politicians in charge of setting and enforcing the rules means nothing will change.

“Just establishing the extent of the speaker and deputy speaker’s rorting has cost a fortune.

“Let’s fix this properly and give people one less reason to hate politicians.’’

The move received support from Coalition MP Gordon Rich-Phillips.

However, Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings spoke out against looking into a new independent agency.

Greg Barber Leader of the Greens. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Instead he flagged the Government’s pending counter motion of a Parliamentary Integrity Adviser, which would assist MPs with allowance claims and delve into issues, when directed.

The latest battle to improve scrutiny of MPs allowances and misuse of parliamentary resources comes after a series of scandals rocked the Andrews Government.

Labor Speaker Telmo Languiller and Deputy Speaker Don Nardella were caught out claiming tens of thousands of dollars to live in the seaside towns, earlier this year.

The scandal prompted a full investigation by PwC which cost taxpayers $120,000.

The fall out of the Labor Party’s misuse of parliamentary resources is also ongoing with the Victorian Ombudsman currently probing the scheme.

The Herald Sun revealed the extent of the rorts-for-votes plan in 2015, including that MPs gave up taxpayer-funded staff to be used to campaign for Labor in marginal seats during the election.

The Government lost three court bids to stop Ombudsman Deborah Glass from looking into the issue.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Labor Party being investigated over its use of parliamentary resources during 2014 election. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

The motion to investigate setting up a new body passed the upper house and will now be put to the Parliament’s Procedures Committee.

The move was a key recommendation from the Privileges Committee following the investigation into Geoff Shaw’s misuse of his parliamentary.

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