Kerryn Phelps quiet on property rental returns

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps has listed two medical clinics and a property portfolio on her first register of member’s interests.

Wentworth MP Kerryn Phelps. Picture: Kym Smith.

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps has listed her two medical clinics and a multi-million-dollar property portfolio on her first register of member’s interests but has not disclosed how much rent she receive­s from the clinics.

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who was forced to a by-election last year after a High Court ruling determined he was ineligible to sit in parliament under section 44 of the Constitution, yesterday raised fresh questions about the high-profile Wentworth MP.

Coalition figures have expresse­d constitutional concerns over Dr Phelps’s work as a GP since she won Malcolm Turnbull’s former seat of Wentworth in October.

Dr Phelps, who owns the buildings that house the clinics but does not directly run the businesses, declared her properties and income as a City of Sydney councillor on December 14.

The document shows no declar­ation of income from her work as a GP or how much rent she receive­s from tenants in her Doubl­e Bay and Surry Hills properties, which were bought for $1.6 million and $2.55m respectively. “All relevant information is listed on the register in accordance with the guidelines,” her spokesman said.

There has been a renewed focus on rent payments to MPs since Labor pursued Nationals member David Gillespie’s eligi­bility to sit in parliament because a shopping centre he part-owned housed an Australia Post outlet.

Mr Joyce said Dr Phelps should provide “complete disclosure” of her income from the clinics, due to ongoing specul­ation over her eligibili­ty. “Kerryn Phelps has had greater warning than any candid­ate in virtually the history of Australia about the constit­utional requirements of holding office,” he said.

“She has to have complete disclosure on her interests, especial­ly those that may involve payment from the government. It is the reality of politics that if you don’t disclose voluntarily, it may well be brought to a vote and you have to do it by order.”

Dr Phelps’s income from her work as a GP is understood to be limited and she is believed to have had advice from accountants and the office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives on her register update, including that she does not have to declare that income separately for the register.

The register reveals she has a property portfolio worth more than $12m, based on the purchase price. The overall value was expected to be significantly higher in the current market.

Dr Phelps told The Australian she has no constitutional issues “whatsoever”. “I obtained an opinion from Geoffrey Kennett SC and Perry Herzfeld,’’ she said.

“Mr Kenne­tt is a pre-eminent constit­utional barrister who has appeared before the High Court on a number of section 44 cases.

“I am confident on the basis of my own knowledge of the rele­vant laws and information available to me that I have no section 44 issue whatsoever.”

Other updates in the register of member’s interests published this month include gifts for Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten.

On December 17, the Prime Minister confirmed he had kept a $330 bottle of Tasmanian whisky from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr Shorten receive­d a $770 marble plate from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, but does not ­intend to keep it.