New independent federal MP Kerryn Phelps' colleagues on the crossbench have defended her eligibility to sit in parliament, against claims she may not eligible due to her work as a doctor.
Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie has suggested there is no conflict of interest in Dr Phelps having handled commonwealth-paid Medicare rebates, as they are paid to patients and not to doctors.
"This is not on account of my friendship with Kerryn Phelps," Mr Wilkie told reporters of his defence in Canberra on Thursday.
"It is self-evident that a Medicare rebate is paid to the patient."
Greens MP Adam Bandt was quick to backup the sentiment.
"The question is, is there a serious question over someone's eligibility? And I'm certainly not convinced there's a serious question in connection with those who are, or used to be, GPs," he said.
"I think in large part the government is trying to threaten members of the crossbench."
The pair's comments come after cabinet minister Christopher Pyne threatened there would be tit-for-tat if Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton is referred to the High Court over the payment of Commonwealth subsidies to childcare centres run by his family.
Mr Pyne warned that if the crossbench bands with Labor to test his colleague's eligibility to sit in parliament, he would attempt to refer DR Phelps and Labor MPs Mike Freelander and Tony Zappia.
"It would behove the parliament if they vote to send Peter Dutton to the High Court, that those three MPs will also have to be sent to the High Court," Mr Pyne told ABC radio on Wednesday.
However, the minority coalition government now holds just 74 of 150 lower house seats, and would need to muster several votes to be able to deliver on the threat.
Dr Phelps said aside from Medicare payments, her practice has not received practice incentive payments for more than two years.
She said her situation should not be conflated with Mr Dutton's, with each case best judged on its own merits.
"Each particular case needs to be taken on its merit," she said.
"Saying that they all deserve to be thrown in together - it's a political threat, it's a political manoeuvre, and I think the Australian people can see right through that."
Share
