Page 11 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 14 February 2012
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If we were in New South Wales, for instance, this matter could be referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. There have been matters about time sheets and record keeping that were referred in New South Wales. Back in 2010 Ms Angela D’Amore, a former New South Wales member of parliament for Drummoyne, had a matter referred against her. It was with regard to putting in forms that did not claim the right staff allowances. This totalled about $4½ thousand that staff received that they were not entitled to. I would like to quote a statement in the introduction to the commission’s report:
The role of a Member of Parliament is wide-ranging and demanding. Members are provided various allowances and entitlements to facilitate their activities in this role. However, they are held strictly accountable for their use of public resources and specific mention of a Member’s responsibility to apply public funds in a manner consistent with applicable guidelines and rules is made in the Code of Conduct for Members. There is an overarching responsibility of Members of Parliament to maintain the public trust placed in them by performing their duties with honesty and integrity. In the view of the Commission, it is generally a matter of public interest to determine whether a Member of Parliament has dishonestly exercised their official functions and instructed or authorised others, especially employees, to do likewise.
There was another case as well, with Ms Karyn Paluzzano. She was a New South Wales member of parliament for Penrith. That involved about $3,400 in entitlements to staff.
In this case, given that the concerns raised in relation to Mr Seselja cover a number of years, we need to be taking this matter seriously. We need to be properly investigating. That is why there is this series of questions that Mr Seselja has been asked to respond to, to report back to this Assembly on. And part of the motion directs the Speaker to set up the independent workplace audit.
There is another thing that I found curious in all of this matter. It is in regard to a series of questions that were asked by Mr Coe in estimates last year. These questions from Mr Coe were quite odd. Looking back on it, it seemed quite strange and curious. It relates to 6(b) of this motion. In 6(b), we have asked to provide the independent auditor with all relevant records, including relevant building access records and ICT information for the relative period.
Mr Coe asked a series of questions about how long CCTV data and swipe card information recording staff activity was kept by the Assembly. In the context of what has come up, it seems quite curious that those questions were asked. That could be perfectly innocent, but it is important that in this motion we ensure that we provide the independent auditor, whoever he or she may be, with the information they will need to properly conduct this audit. Again, I would say that this cannot just be swept under the carpet.
Mr Coe interjecting—
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