Sussan Ley resigned because the 'facts could not overcome the story'

Former health minister Sussan Ley has handed down the Department of Finance's review into her travel claims and says only one claim was outside entitlements.

Sussan Ley

Sussan Ley resigned as health minister over an expenses scandal. Source: AAP

Fallen frontbencher Sussan Ley has broken down in parliament as she thanked her colleagues and friends for their support during her expenses scandal.

Ms Ley handed down the Department of Finance's 15-page review of her travel claims for the entirety of her time as a government minister.

Her request for a review came after charging taxpayers for a trip to the Gold Coast during which she bought a $795,000 apartment, admitting that while it was within the rules it did not pass the "pub test".

"I provided whatever records were required or requested, way beyond what would be normal for acquittal of ministerial travel claims," Ms Ley said.

"The department found that over a three-and-a-half year period there had been one claim that was outside entitlements. This was for a five minute car trip."
"I know that the notion of buying a property on impulse may seem quite strange to some."
The New South Wales MP said she resigned as minister because "the facts could not overcome the story", but she had voluntarily repaid the cost of travel anyway in January.    

"I know that the notion of buying a property on impulse may seem quite strange to some, and while the purchase of this particular property was on impulse, the decision to purchase a property was not," she said.

Ms Ley insists she was in Queensland on ministerial business, which included a meeting with doctors and patients, and that she only saw the apartment 20 minutes before she made the controversial purchase.

"The repayments I’ve chosen to make entirely voluntarily recognise that I have fallen short of community standards and I want to put the matter beyond further commentary," she added.

Ms Ley said she had been "incredibly fortunate" to serve in Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet and teared up as she thanked the people of Farrer for letting her represent them in parliament.

"I thank my colleagues and friends for their support, and I thank my constituents from the bottom of my heart for the faith they have shown in me," Ms Ley said.

Watch: Sussan Ley on the entitlement scandal that cost her the health ministry


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By David Sharaz



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