WRONGFULLY claiming taxpayer-funded expense allowances has led to a local MP resigning from his portfolio, however his focus on issues in the Riverland can still continue.
Riverland-based MP Tim Whetstone (pictured) announced he would resign as Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on Sunday, following previous news he had been forced to pay back nearly $7000 in false ministerial accommodation claims to parliament.
Mr Whetstone – who faced mounting public pressure over the past week – said he had been left “devastated” by circumstances surrounding his decision to resign the portfolio.
“I’m feeling pretty empty,” Mr Whetstone told the Murray Pioneer on Monday.
“(The portfolio) is something I’ve worked almost a decade for and to see it slip away is devastating really.
“Politics is a pretty ruthless game and that’s part and parcel of it.
“For three generations now, we’ve been a farming family and it’s the pride and place of everything I’ve worked hard for, so today I’m just reflecting on what might have been.”
False claims of the accommodation allowance – normally allowing rural MPs to claim $234 per night spent away from home for up to 135 nights per annum – also forced the resignation of Minister for Transport Stephan Knoll, who returned more than $29,000.
Speaking to the Murray Pioneer last week, Mr Whetstone said “administrative errors” in his claiming of the accommodation allowance led to discrepancies in his daily schedule.
“I undertook a full audit and I fully expected it would have gone through with a clean bill of health, but there were some administrative errors and I’ve corrected them,” he said.
“It exposed some of the procedures in my system and it’s obviously not adequate. I’m going to rectify that by having more transparent, monthly accounting.
“I take responsibility for it. I’ve now reimbursed parliament, I’ve apologised to the chamber, my constituents in Chaffey and the people of South Australia.”
Speaking to the Murray Pioneer last week, Mr Whetstone said he had no intention of stepping down as minister, however after days of escalating pressure decided to offer his resignation to Premier Steven Marshall, who said the situation had become a “distraction” to his government.
Mr Whetstone was initially elected as Member for Chaffey in 2010, although spent eight years in opposition before the Liberal Party won the state election in 2018.
Mr Whetstone said ministerial duties had required him to often travel between Adelaide and the Riverland for parliament sittings, plus cabinet, committee and policy development meetings.
“The number of nights I spend in Adelaide with parliamentary, ministerial and cabinet duties far exceed the 135 nights,” he said.
“Coming into government I’ve undertaken 450 electorate business meetings, I’ve travelled to the Riverland 134 times, I’ve done 257 cabinet and committee meetings, 326 events and 247 regional visits.
“There is much that I’ve achieved and much that I’m proud of. Not only for Chaffey but by and large in South Australia within the agricultural portfolio and the regional development portfolio.
“I’m proud of the workload I’ve put myself under.”
The State Opposition was quick to call for SA Premier Steven Marshall to sack Mr Whetstone and Mr Knoll, along with Minister for Trade David Ridgway, who was found to have signed a blank timesheet for his chauffer.
In a media statement before the resignations occurred, opposition leader Peter Malinauskas said the premier had no choice but to sack the involved ministers.
“This scandal has become a full-blown crisis which is engulfing the Marshall Government,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“Steven Marshall has dithered… he’s failed to take the decisive action necessary to discipline his MPs.”
Mr Whetstone said his focus on Riverland issues – particularly relating to agriculture – would continue as the Member for Chaffey.
“I intend to continue to serve the people of Chaffey and I think I still have so much more to offer,” Mr Whetstone said.
“Chaffey is my absolute priority and there’s no denying that. Now I’ll reflect on the ways I can best serve the people.
“There are a number of reform agenda pieces that are still in the making and I think there’s a huge opportunity for agriculture to continue to play a leading role in the state’s economy and just as importantly regional South Australia.”
Mr Whetstone said maintaining the trust of Riverland voters was a priority.
“I want to apologise to my constituency in Chaffey for what has happened,” he said.
“I take this very seriously. There was nothing deliberate or done in malice in terms of claiming more than I was allocated.
“I’m somewhat gutted as a proud South Australian that I’ve found myself in these circumstances.”
It was announced yesterday Member for Finniss David Basham would replace Mr Whetstone as Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, while Minister for Sport Corey Wingard was allocated the Infrastructure and Transport portfolio.
Current Speaker of the House Vincent Tarzia will join the Cabinet to become Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, while Member for Morphett Stephen Patterson will become the Minister for Trade and Investment and Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman, will assume additional responsibility of Planning and Local Government