Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to inform the House that I have been defamed and wrongly accused in a letter to the editor published on page 10 of today's Bundaberg NewsMail. The letter was written by Stephen Beiger of Burnett Heads. I quote directly from the letter:

Will Keith Pitt ask Tony Abbott whether he can get the $20,000 Michelle Landry spent on travel rorts for her family using taxpayers' money? After all, her website declares she is a "firm believer in giving back to the community" and it will not be new money being spent, just refunded public monies illegally used by a politician.

The author then goes on to suggest that the $20,000 would be better spent on a memorial in Bundaberg. The author, Stephen Beiger of Burnett Heads, and the Bundaberg NewsMail have completely got the wrong person. This statement is untrue and defamatory. I table this newspaper letter and make these points.

Point 1: I have never been involved, investigated nor accused of a travel rort. Point 2: I have never spent $20,000 on travel expenses for my family. In fact, I table my parliamentarian's budget usage report, regarding family reunion pooling, that clearly states that this letter published today is completely false. Point 3: there is no such incident and no moneys to pay back. Point 4: as a politician, I have never used taxpayers' money illegally. This letter represents a great slur. I stand by my reputation as someone of high integrity and who stands up for Capricornia.

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