Victorian MP rort allegations under audit

Victorian MPs are once again being audited over allegations about misuse of parliamentary allowances.

 File image of Victorian MP Khalil Eideh

File image of Victorian MP Khalil Eideh Source: AAP

Yet another audit of Victorian MP entitlements is underway following allegations government MPs scammed parliamentary printing allowances to fund Labor memberships.

The parliament is now sifting through all MP printing invoices at the direction of the president of the Legislative Council, Bruce Atkinson.

The probe was prompted by allegations by unnamed Labor Party whistleblowers that hundreds of thousands in taxpayer funds were secured through fake printing invoices submitted to parliament, the Herald Sun reports.

It's also alleged the printing companies were part of the scam and took a cut, while most of the money was used to fund ALP memberships.

"If the allegations are true, they involve criminal actions and constitute fraud," Mr Atkinson said.

"Parliament has commenced an investigation and if we can establish the veracity of the fraudulent practices outlined in the Herald Sun article, the matter will be referred to external agencies."

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy used parliamentary privilege during question time to name deputy president of the Legislative Council, Khalil Eideh, and "backyard" printing firm FM Printing as parties to the alleged ruse.

Mr Eideh was not in parliament on Wednesday for unrelated reasons, but a spokesman from his electoral office told AAP "the allegations are absurd".

The spokesman confirmed the office does use FM Printing, which is a "husband and wife show" and said he felt sorry the company was now under scrutiny.

A woman who answered the phone at FM Printing told AAP "we've done nothing".

Premier Daniel Andrews told parliament he was "not in a position" to confirm the allegations and said anyone with information should go to the police.

Victoria Police told AAP it has not received a report regarding the matters.

It is not the first time the Victorian government has been scrutinised over how its MPs use entitlements.

Earlier this year, former speaker Telmo Languiller and his deputy Don Nardella were audited for claiming the second residence allowance, despite both representing metropolitan electorates.

The allowance was designed to help country MPs during sitting weeks.

Auditors were also called in over concerns parliamentary resources were used to fund Labor campaigners during the 2014 election.


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Source: AAP



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