Ian Campbell of About Regional reported on February 4th that the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia came to Merimbula canvassing the impacts of Bill Shorten’s plan to remove refundable franking credits for self-funded retirees if he is elected Prime Minister. The report said "Around 250 people filed into Merimbula RSL to observe or take part in the public hearing at the invitation of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics. Aside from local media, the event also attracted the national Murdoch press and was broadcast via parliamentary radio.This was the only regional public hearing held in New South Wales." Two days later (Feb 6th) in a media release issued by Mike Kelly, Federal Member for Eden Monaro, he states "Tim Wilson has an apparent conflict of interest in the outcome of the House of Representatives Economic Committee’s inquiry into Labor’s divided imputation policy which he failed to disclose while chairing this week’s hearing in Merimbula.
The release continues "It has been revealed today that Mr Wilson’s relative - whose finance company he owns shares in - contacted Mr Wilson and asked him as the Chair of the Economics Committee to hold this taxpayer-funded inquiry to undermine Labor’s policy."
Mr Kelly offers "We also know that Tim Wilson established a website concerning the inquiry which contained a link to a Liberal Party petition against Labor's policy and that Government MPs have used inquiry hearings to hand out membership application forms for the Liberal and National Party."
"These actions are highly unethical, and they taint the independence of the inquiry and its outcomes." "Mr Wilson has no choice but to resign from the committee, and if he won’t, the Prime Minister should sack him" You can read Ian Campbell's About regional article Franking Credits Inquiry draws frank feedback in Merimbula HERE
Above: Jason Falinski MP (Liberal) and Committee Chair, Tim Wilson MP (Liberal) face a growing crowd at Merimbula RSL. Photo: Ian Campbell.
