VIC:MPs fail to include address on registers

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2011
VIC:MPs fail to include address on registers

MELBOURNE, Feb 16 AAP - Victorian MPs are failing to provide addresses when declaring
their property interests, the latest state parliamentary register shows.

An updated list of members' interests, released this month, includes 20 new and existing
MPs' properties variously described as "flat, Toorak," "property, South Morang", or simply,
"block of land, Victoria".

Laws governing the list say members are required to provide the address or description
of any land in which they hold a beneficial interest.

Some properties published in the latest list are slightly more specific and make for
interesting reading.

Member for Western Victoria, Simon Ramsay, lists his property interests as "primary
production property, Birregurra", and "residential property, Queensland".

Among his property interests listed, Member for Prahran, Clem Newton-Brown, includes
"Picnic Island, Coles Bay, Tasmania", and "Palan Road, Flinders Island, Tasmania".

Member for South Barwon, Andrew Katos, lists a "residence, Highton" under land holdings,
but is careful to detail a "five per cent share in unnamed racehorse by Green Perfume
out of Mondilibi".

Others, like Member for Bendigo West, Janice Edwards, list a one-quarter share in a
block of vacant land with a folio number for easy reference at the Titles Office, while
only four members include full addresses of land holdings.

The register also includes details of members' income sources, any beneficial interests
in companies, trusteeships, memberships and associations.

Premier Ted Baillieu says members should include descriptions of property in accordance
with the requirements of the legislation.

"If there are new members filling it out for the first time then they need to take
advice on it," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"The usual form has been that the suburb has been named, some people choose to put
a street as well."

AAP ees/gfr/jfm

KEYWORD: REGISTER VIC

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