Pressure is mounting on Melton MP Don Nardella to pay back more than $100,000 in allowances he claimed over almost three years.
The deputy speaker quit the role at the weekend after it was revealed he claimed a second residence allowance while living in Ocean Grove.
His resignation came hours after Tarneit MP and speaker Telmo Languiller resigned for claiming $40,000 in second residence allowances while living in Queenscliff.
While Mr Languiller was prompt in promising to pay back the money, Mr Nardella has so far refused to pay back the $100,000.
Under parliamentary rules, politicians are entitled to the “second residence” allowance if their home base is at least 80 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and they keep a second property in the city. It was designed for regional MPs who travel to Melbourne for Parliament.
Mr Nardella’s Ocean Grove residence is more than 80kms from the CBD, however the furthest boundary of his electorate is about 60kms from the CBD.
Melton residents have taken to social media, lambasting the MP and calling on him to pay back the money. Some have called for Mr Nardella’s resignation from Parliament.
Meanwhile, the cabinet rushed through a sweeping overhaul of all Victorian MPs’ entitlements on Monday.
Premier Daniel Andrews has signalled that all the entitlements open to state MPs will be examined to make the rules about what are appropriate expenses “black and white”.
On Sunday, he described the behaviour of Mr Languiller and Mr Nardella as “appalling”.
“Is it any wonder that there is a cynicism, that there is a scepticism, that there is a distrust of so many members of Parliament when we see … appalling behaviour just like this,” Mr Andrews said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said Mr Nardella must pay back the money or there would be no co-operation in Parliament from the Coalition.
“This issue will not go away until this money is repaid,” Mr Guy said.
– with The Age
