Labor Party MP claims $40,000 a year to nominate Queenscliff as his place of residence

Lower house Speaker Telmo Languiller has found himself in hot water.  

The Labor MP represents Tarneit in Melbourne’s inner west, with a house in Footscray. 

But he nominates Queenscliff as his place of residence, claiming $40,000 a year of taxpayer’s money. 

‘This is a ridiculous rort,’ Neil Mitchell says. 

‘That perk is there to compensate country politicians who really do live in an electorate out of town.’

Mr Languiller released a very short statement through the Premier’s office:

‘While all Members who live more than 80km from Parliament can claim this allowance, I fully accept that in my circumstances it doesn’t meet community expectations.

To that end, I will replace the allowance I received in full.’

With a possibility the speaker may have signed off on this himself, Leader of the Greens Greg Barber says no one knows what is within the rules. 

‘Who is independently administering it is unclear,’ Mr Barber told 3AW Mornings.

‘The rules either aren’t clear or when they become clear people say well that’s not right.’ 

Mr Barber said leaders of each major party need to ‘all agree to a change.’ 

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