Personal Explanation

President's Statement

The PRESIDENT (14:17): My principal place of residence is Victor Harbor. At all times during my residency in Victor Harbor I have complied with the rules in respect of accessing the country members' allowance.

Since 2011, I have lived in an apartment in Victor Harbor. From 2011 to 2017, I lived in an apartment that I owned, and from 2017 to the current day, I live in an apartment that I lease in the same complex, which is basically next door. As a member of the Legislative Council, my electorate office is in Parliament House.

The significant volume of standing committee meetings, select committee meetings, constituent meetings, stakeholder meetings and events that are part of an MLC’s work has meant that I am often required to be in Adelaide when parliament is not sitting.

Having recently been elected as President of the Legislative Council in February this year, much of my time is spent at Parliament House ensuring the parliament operates effectively, in conjunction with the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and especially during the COVID period.

The Auditor-General has oversight of payments of the country members' allowance, and today I have written to the Auditor-General requesting an audit of all country members' allowances and to expedite a review of my own as a priority.

I have also written to the Commissioner of State Taxation requesting the commissioner to undertake a reassessment under section 10 of the Taxation Administration Act 1996 of any land tax obligations relating to my jointly owned property at Norwood and previously owned properties at Victor Harbor.

While it has never been the practice of previous governments and parliaments to release information with respect to country members' allowances, I have taken the decision to release this information.