2018-10-26
Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will today write to the Auditor-General to investigate reports of more scandal in the National Party.
“Reports that the National Party executive was paid $850,000 for drought-proofing that never eventuated are serious allegations. Today I will be referring this to the Auditor-General for investigation,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Another day, another scandal involving the Nationals. Scott Morrison’s Special Drought Envoy Barnaby Joyce’s ‘nothing to see here’ attitude in response to these reports of rorting is typical of the former Deputy Prime Minister.
“The drought is crippling our farmers and to add insult to injury, the Nationals are brushing off these reports like they do with every scandal they find themselves in.
“The Nationals cannot be trusted with spending billions of dollars on drought relief and water management properly.
“Rorting and misusing taxpayers’ money are serious allegations and another reason why we need a federal anti-corruption body.
“The fact that Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack believes we don’t need a federal anti-corruption body says it all. The Nationals will always protect their own – no matter what their indiscretions – above the interest of our nation, our river, and the Australian taxpayers.”