WA’s anti-corruption chief has urged observers not to speculate about its probe into the possible misuse of parliamentary allowances, two days after the watchdog raided a former MP’s premises.
The Corruption and Crime Commission searched Phil Edman’s home and business on Wednesday, seizing his computer and phone.
Mr Edman was outed in March, following an earlier CCC investigation, as having asked WA’s former trade commissioner to Japan, Craig Peacock, to compile an itinerary for a visit, saying he needed to use up his electoral allowance before the end of the financial year.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWHe later texted Mr Peacock saying he wanted to visit a geisha bar and had “never had a Japanese honey before”.
‘Corrupt’ WA public servant cost taxpayers $500k
The CCC was damning of Mr Peacock, but did not suggest Mr Edman – who dismissed the texts as “just boys being boys” – had engaged in illegal activity.
“I thought everything had ended with the report,” Mr Edman tearfully told 6PR radio on Thursday.
“This is killing me. I’m at breaking point now.”
When the first public hearing for the parliamentary allowances investigation was held on Friday following months of private proceedings, CCC boss John McKechnie urged against speculation, saying no conclusions had been reached.
Mr McKechnie is clearly unimpressed the probe was exposed by the Procedures and Privileges Committee earlier this week as it tabled an explosive report revealing two top bureaucrats could be charged with contempt.
One of them is Department of Premier and Cabinet director general Darren Foster, who handed four terrabytes of MPs’ emails to the CCC, defying the committee’s procedures and “undoubtedly” releasing some that were subject to parliamentary privilege, according to chair Kate Doust.
Mr McKechnie said there were good reasons to keep ongoing investigations covert including protecting the reputation of those under scrutiny, given they are often cleared of misconduct.
The hearing questioned whether there were enough checks and balances to ensure parliamentary allowances totalling $7.5 million per year were not being misused.
All MPs get a minimum $78,000 annual allowance plus $6750 for travel.
The CCC heard that MPs used to need pre-approval for travel but that was no longer required.
They use their own discretion for the broader allowance, which should be for representing their electorate and not for party-political purposes.
