‘Shame file’ lists MP for expenses

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
FEDERAL Member for Corio Richard Marles is among 82 parliamentarians who failed to verify expense claims, according to a Department of Finance “name-and-shame” list.
The list included opposition leader Tony Abbott, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and wealthy opposition backbencher Malcolm Turnbull.
The department expects MPs to verify expense claims against their own accounts every six months.
The department released the list for the first time this week.
Verifying accounts is non-compulsory but a Senate Estimates hearing recommended “naming and shaming’’ in the interests of transparency.
“Parliamentarians are asked to certify that their entitlements usage was in accordance with the provisions legislated for each respective entitlement.
“Commencing from the period January to June 2011, information regarding parliamentarians’ certification of their entitlements usage will be published,” the department website said.