mp randal says he has done nothing wrong

ABC Online...
Federal Liberal MP Don Randall, caught up in a parliamentary entitlements row, has revealed he attended an AFL game in Melbourne with his wife on another taxpayer-funded trip.

Last week it was revealed Mr Randall, who represents the WA electorate of Canning, had spent more than $5,000 on a separate trip to Cairns with his wife last year for what he said was "electorate business".

Not long after the trip he disclosed that he'd taken possession of an investment property in Cairns.

Mr Randall, who has finally broken his silence on the issue, speaking to two newspapers, and insists he's done nothing wrong, although he has promised to repay the money for the Cairns trip.

He told a WA newspaper and the Armadale Examiner that he went to Cairns in his capacity as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government to speak to the Opposition Whip Warren Entsch about "a whole range of issues", including council amalgamations.

Neither MP will say what was discussed.

He defended the trip to Melbourne for what he said was "sittings of parliament".

He said he stopped off in Melbourne on his way to Canberra while his wife flew home to Perth.

Mr Randall told the Examiner he has never fallen foul of over-spending, but acknowledged the controversy surrounding MP entitlements could lead to an overhaul of the system.

He is one of a number of MPs, including Prime Minster Tony Abbott, who have recently paid back entitlement claims, including allowances used to attend the weddings of colleagues.

Mr Randall said he had been avoiding the media because reporters were looking for a "gotcha moment".
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..meeting a mate for a couple of hours for a beer does not make it a business trip. This is what they have all been doing, decide where you want to go and what grand final/concert/family wedding/ you want to attend, get your assistant to schedule a pointless 1 hour meeting with local mayor/tour of the cheese factory/tourism council and then claim a personal trip as a business expense. Warren Ench(the whip) should have to front the priveleges committee and explain what the urgent meeting was for and if he can't he should be charged with providing a false alibi.

PM Abbott must stand-down Randall and other colleagues who made false or dubious expense claims. A thorough investigation must ensure and heads must roll if found guilty. Where applicable, Police charges must be laid and MPs sacked. Oh, wait, that would wipe out a third of Abbott's cabinet, including the Attorney General and the PM! Election NOW!

Dave R.