Opposition Tales Aim At Mcgauran

The Age

Thursday September 25, 1997

PAUL CHAMBERLIN

Canberra

Labor has warned its attack on the Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Peter McGauran, will become more damaging next week if he refuses to resign.

The travel rorts controversy erupted again yesterday afternoon, this time aimed at the claims of Mr McGauran, a Victorian National MP.

Pursuing him in Question Time for misleading the house, the Opposition industry spokesman, Mr Simon Crean, asked Mr McGauran if he stood by his comments on Wednesday that all of his 213 travel allowance claims were legitimate.

Mr McGauran replied that any suggestion otherwise was "slurs by innuendo".

He had repaid $9000, money he was fully entitled to, because of criticism he had received in the media over the high level of payments made to him.

Mr Crean asked the next three questions available to Labor, centring on specific dates and places.

To each question, Mr McGauran replied he would check his records and return quickly with answers.

Three hours later he was back before the house, where he read the following statement:

"During Question Time, Mr Speaker, I was asked several questions by (Mr Crean) the member for Hotham relating back to four dates and overnight claims. If I can take you through those dates sequentially.

"The first one was 15 March 1996. I was scheduled to attend a state National Party election campaign launch in Shepparton in company with three state parliamentary colleagues.

"At the last moment I cancelled and remained working in my Melbourne ministerial office until late. The claim for Melbourne this night is correct. However the charter flight went ahead nonetheless. The account subsequently came to my electorate office as it had originally been arranged through my office.

"It was wrongly submitted for payment by me, it was submitted several weeks later on 6 May with another account, and was a genuine oversight on my part. Naturally I did not receive the money and will accept the responsibility of arranging repayment.

"Turning now to 15 July 1996. The claim for Canberra is incorrect. My records show that I was at my home at Nambrok, therefore it is a wrong payment of $145.

"16 July 1996 - I did indeed charter to Canberra this day from West Sale. The claim for Melbourne is incorrect as my records show I was in Canberra, my records show I was in Canberra. There is a wrong payment of $275. Consequently there is a $420 overpayment.

"5 August 1996 - the claim for Melbourne is correct. The hire car collected me at 8 am from my home at Nambrok to drive me to La Trobe Valley aerodrome and again collected me at 12.30 pm to travel to Melbourne for a business dinner.

"Mr Speaker, after voluntarily repaying $9000 of taxpayers' funds I now find that I will give another $1462, being the charter of $1042 and $420 travelling allowance. You can be sure I'll be recouping the $1000 from the passengers on the charter."

Mr Crean said this was a case of "three strikes and you are out, minister.

"This is the person who was so cocky this afternoon, telling us he had nothing to hide."

THE CONTENDERS

Senator David Brownhill, 61 (NSW, Nat): Parliamentary Secretary. Elected in 1984, geography may be his best ally. Well-liked and a mate of all the leading Nationals.

Michael Ronaldson, 42 (Vic, Lib): Parliamentary Secretary, but unlikely to be promoted straight to a senior ministerial position. A definite chance for a junior portfolio.

Warren Truss, 48 (Qld, Nat): A farmer elected in 1990, his persistence forced the 1994 resignation of Labor minister Ros Kelly. The under-representation of Queensland Nationals on the frontbench stands him in good stead.

Mark Vaile, 41 (NSW, Nat): One of the new breed of smart young National MPs, the former real estate agent is probably a better chance for a parliamentary secretary's job.

Senator Grant Tambling, 54 (NT, CLP): Unlucky to miss a ministry last year. His stand in support of the Territory's euthanasia laws may not have won him much favor.

Senator Ian MacDonald, 51 (Qld, Lib): Parliamentary Secretary, a hard worker while in Opposition, he was a little bitter when he missed a ministry. But has kept his nose clean and is across his recently granted areas of responsibility.

Senator Nick Minchin, 44 (SA, Lib): Parliamentary Secretary to the PM and a power broker. Responsible for the republic and the coalition's new Native Title Act. He is probably too important to be moved at present.

Petro Georgiou, 49 (Vic, Lib): In a major reshuffle he would be a real show for the immigration portfolio. A machine man and supreme tactician, has shown his human side in making one of the most damning speeches against Pauline Hanson.