Senator Claire Chandler has called on Labor to come clean over the controversial pre-selection of Rebecca White, and dumping of incumbent MP Brian Mitchell.

“It was reported in November that “tremendous pressure” was brought to bear on Mr Mitchell from ALP officials to convince him to stand aside for Mr White,” Senator Chandler said.

“Under parliamentary rules, a Member of Parliament who either loses their seat, or importantly in this case, fails to secure re-endorsement from their party, is entitled to a “Resettlement Allowance” of $115,000.

“Tasmanian Labor has claimed that Mr Mitchell voluntarily stood aside, and Ms White told media she would only run with Mr Mitchell’s blessing.

“Rebecca White has already pocketed more than $50,000 from the Tasmanian taxpayer, campaigning full time last year for Lyons will still employed as a State MP.

“The question that must be answered is this: was a secret, rigged pre-selection process run in order to allow Mr Mitchell to trouser more than $115,000 in federal taxpayer cash?”

Resettlement Allowance