12/12/00 Phonecard Rorts

[Stafford Sanders]

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Lee Rhiannon MLC (NSW) The Greens
Media Release 12/12/00 

Report Reveals MPs' Phonecard Follies Have Hit NSW


The Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called for more details on apparent Reith-style phonecard rorting by NSW MPs.
Says Ms Rhiannon: "The NSW Auditor-General's Report 2000, just released, mentions several abuses which have come to the attention of the Audit Office.
"The abuses all occurred around 1997, and were known to the Legislature - though they seem to have only recently come to the Audit Office's attention.
"In one incident, an MP's phonecard was being used in Australia at the same time as the MP was using it overseas. The MP reimbursed the amount.
"In another case, a card was used in Canberra by an MP's daughter while the Member was in Sydney. Again the amounts were repaid.
"And a third case involved an ex-MP using the card from home to earn Frequent Flyer points - when the home phone account was being 90% paid for by parliament. The Speaker subsequently issued a memorandum banning this kind of use.
"There is no record of any of these MPs being disciplined in any way, either by their parties or by the parliament.
"We believe the MPs and ex-MP should at least be named and further questions asked about these incidents.
"Did these Members knowingly allow their cards to be used in an unauthorised way? Were they aware of how and by whom the cards were being used? Did their party leaders know of the abuses either before or after they took place? What action did they take? And why wasn't the matter discussed openly in parliament?"
Ms Rhiannon has been campaigning for a tightening up on MPs' entitlements, foreshadowing a Private Members' Bill on the issue early in the New Year.
"If the Reithian Rort has indeed reached NSW, the citizens of this state have the right to know who's been doing it, and the right to expect that their elected MPs will be held properly accountable."  


Media inquiries: 	Stafford Sanders   	ph. (02) 9230 3549 or 0409 787 911	


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