Victorian Government to rush through overhaul of entitlements

A sweeping overhaul of politician entitlements will be rushed through state cabinet after a rocky weekend for the government saw the speaker and deputy speaker both step down.

Telmo Languiller and Don Nardella resigned at the weekend after it was revealed they’d claimed a combined total of almost $140,000 under the second residence allowance scheme.

Both MPs based themselves on the Bellarine Peninsula, even though both men represent electorates in the western suburbs.

The allowance is designed for country MPs to maintain a property closer to parliament.

Premier Daniel Andrews said cabinet would tighten the rules.

It’s understood they’ll consider creating a special list of electorates whose members can qualify for the allowance.

Former speaker Ken Smith has an idea to help stop the rort – putting a candidate’s address on ballot papers.

He spoke to Ross and John about it this morning.