AAP Victorian MP Geoff Shaw could be suspended or expelled from parliament by the end of Wednesday.Victorian balance-of-power MP Geoff Shaw says a move to suspend him is "a bit harsh".
The Liberal-turned-independent MP will be suspended for 11 parliamentary sitting days for misusing his taxpayer-funded car under a motion to be moved in parliament on Wednesday by Premier Denis Napthine.
Asked what he thought of the motion on his way into parliament, Mr Shaw said it was "a bit harsh".
However, he said he hadn't looked at it fully.
"I haven't looked at the whole thing yet, when I find out I'll let you know then," Mr Shaw told reporters.
It is unclear whether Mr Shaw will be able to vote on a motion involving himself, but there is at least one recent example where an MP voted against his own suspension.
Mr Shaw said he didn't know if he could vote.
"I have absolutely no idea," he said.
The Labor opposition wants the Frankston MP held in contempt of parliament and expelled for misusing his parliamentary car for his private hardware business.
Former Liberal Speaker Ken Smith, who Mr Shaw helped oust, has previously said he would vote with Labor to expel the independent MP.
Mr Smith says he hasn't decided which way he will vote.
"I've looked at what the government put in yesterday which is the first opportunity I've had to see it," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"I'm looking to see what the Labor party's going to put up.
"You'll just have to wait and see."
Mr Shaw will be suspended for 11 sitting days, must apologise and repay money for misusing his parliamentary car, or be expelled from parliament, the premier says.
But there is no guarantee the motion will be passed on Wednesday, with Labor saying it won't back it and vowing to push for a second day running to have Mr Shaw found in contempt of parliament and expelled.
Dr Napthine says the political impasse over Mr Shaw will end on Wednesday.
"I would hope that it could be done with today," Dr Napthine told ABC TV.
"He needs to be held fully accountable, and our motion does that.
"It is the largest suspension in parliament in recent times.
"If he fails to comply then even more extreme action, including expulsion, is on the cards."
Mr Shaw would be suspended until September 2 when he would have to apologise to parliament.
Dr Napthine said the penalties are serious and not calculated to avoid a by-election in Mr Shaw's Frankston seat before the November 29 state election.
"If Mr Shaw doesn't accept his responsibilities, and doesn't apologise, and doesn't pay the money required and doesn't comply with the sanctions put in place then he will be showing his contempt for the parliament and he will face expulsion."
Dr Napthine said by-election decisions are made by the Speaker.
"The Speaker would be asked to consider the matter and determine whether it is appropriate to have a by-election or whether the cost of a by-election so close to an election would be a waste of taxpayers' money," Dr Napthine told Fairfax Radio.
Dr Napthine says he has not spoken to Mr Smith about whether he would support the motion.
"I would expect all members to face their responsibility as a member of parliament," he said.
"It's not about politics, it's not about personalities, it is about an appropriate penalty for somebody who has misused taxpayer resources - that is what has brought us to today."
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews says he too doesn't know which way Mr Smith will vote.
"I'm not sure what Mr Smith is going to do - he has certainly talked pretty tough," Mr Andrews told Fairfax Radio.
"We'll have to wait and see whether he remains consistent to that and votes to expel Mr Shaw, as he has made it clear he intended to do.
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens."
Mr Andrews said unless Mr Shaw exits the parliament then "this circus is going to continue".
"More chaos, more dysfunction, this is not a punishment, it's a protection."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/24207953/vic-mp-says-suspension-plan-a-bit-harsh/
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar