Victorian Speaker Telmo Languiller to repay ‘second residence’ allowance

UPDATE: CAR logbooks from Speaker Telmo Languiller’s taxpayer-funded chauffeur will be examined during an probe into the ‘second residence’ allowance scandal.

• Editorial: Victorian Speaker must go

CAR logbooks from Speaker Telmo Languiller’s taxpayer-funded chauffeur will be examined during an investigation into why he claimed a $37,678 allowance for a house outside his electorate.

Mr Languiller claimed a “second residence” allowance last year after he split from his wife and rented a house in Queenscliff, while maintaining a property in Footscray.

Related: Werribee residents irate over Pallas’ teen jail insult

The house is about 80km from his electorate of Tarneit, in the western suburbs.

The Speaker apologised to parliament for an “error of judgment” and promised to repay the money.

Embattled speaker Telmo Languiller. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“This claim, irrespective of entitlements or otherwise, given that I’m a sitting MP, does not meet the requirements of the community,” Mr Languiller said.

He referred the matter to the parliamentary audit committee, which he co-chairs with Legislative Council president Bruce Atkinson, before declaring he would step aside from the process.

Related: Steve Herbert resigns as corrections minister

Susan Ley buys Gold Coast flat on taxpayer-funded trip

Auditors will likely assess car logbooks to try to establish if he regularly travelled to Queenscliff, which he claimed as his “primary residence”.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, Premier Daniel Andrews, Deputy Premier James Merlino and Speaker Telmo Languiller. Picture: Martin Reddy

Several other Labor and Coalition MPs claim the allowance because their primary residence is more than 80km from Melbourne’s CBD.

But all those who yesterday admitted to claiming the entitlement hold regional or Upper House district seats.

Queenscliff locals shook their heads when the Herald Sun asked whether they had ever seen Mr Languiller. Real estate agent Neil Laws said, “I’d never heard of him around here, and I’ve never seen him”.

Telmo Languiller. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Treasurer Tim Pallas during Question Time. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The Herald Sun asked how often the Speaker had gone to Queenscliff but his spokesman said he would not comment.

Incredulous Labor MPs yesterday said they were stunned by the Speaker’s claim. One called it a “rort”, and some said the rules had to change.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the audit committee should make recommendations “on the use of this entitlement as soon as possible”. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy called for the matter to go to the privileges committee.