Another day, another absolutely ridiculous expense scandal. Well, it might not be classed as a scandal because the MP in question has at least had to sense to issue a statement that he’ll repay the money in full.
Victorian Speaker Telmo Languiller claimed almost $40,000 to live away from his electorate in Queenscliff.
$40,000…
We can’t. We just can’t.
The Age reports Languiller “used the posh seaside town as his primary place of residence, while maintaining a second residence in Footscray, also outside his Tarneit electorate.”
The Labor Party MP who represents the electorate Tarneit released the following statement:
“While all members who live more than 80 kilometres from Parliament can claim this allowance, I fully accept that in my circumstances it doesn’t meet community expectations,” he said.
“To that end, I will repay the allowance I received in full.”
Of course, it’s not the first time MPs have taken advantage of the “second residence” perk…
Most notably, ex-Treasurer Joe Hockey caused mass outrage in 2015 when it came out he was “paid the same amount as Newstart, $1000 a month, to sleep at his wife’s house.” He claimed travel allowance totalling $184,000 to stay at his wife’s home during parliamentary sittings in Canberra.
Let’s hope Turnbull’s new Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority will work. Because sums like this particular one of Telmo Languiller’s are downright obscene.
Time will tell…
