Sussan Ley stands aside over trip including Gold Coast property purchase

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Jan 9, 2017

Sussan Ley stands aside over trip including Gold Coast property purchase

Sussan Ley's decision to purchase her third investment property on a taxpayer funded trip makes her appear out of touch with everyday Australians, many of whom can't afford to buy their own home.

Image: SMH.

Sussan Ley, speaking to the media at her office in Albury.

Sussan Ley will stand aside ahead of an investigation into her travel claims, including claims for a trip during which she purchased a $795,000 Gold Coast property.

With growing numbers of Australians unable to afford their own home, Ley's reckless use of taxpayer funds for a trip to purchase her third investment property makes her appear out of touch with everyday Australians, particularly in the current political climate of cut backs.

Malcolm Turnbull said Ley will stand aside as health minister 'without ministerial pay' ahead of an investigation into her travel claims.

"Australians expect the Government to deal with these serious matters very thoroughly and in accordance with the Statement of Ministerial Standards," he said.

Arthur Sinodinos will act as Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Minister for Sport.

At a press conference outside her office in Albury, Ley maintained she had not broken any rules.

She said she did not expect to be forced to stand down permanently.

Ley answered questions about the Gold Coast property she and her partner purchased in May 2015 while travelling on ministerial business. She claimed $370 in accommodation costs, $268.30 in Comcar costs, and a $10 travel allowance for her partner during the trip.

Leys has said the purpose of the trip was to make an annoucnement at Brisbane's Wesley Hospital, and that the purchase of the apartment was an impulse.

Today she said that during the trip, her partner had drawn her attention to the Gold Coast auction.

"I inspected this property for the first time maybe 10 minutes before the auction commenced and I registered to bid," she said.

Leys said she had gained pre-approval for finance to purchase a property, and this property "fit the bill".

She said "the purchase of this particular property was neither planned nor anticipated."

Leys owns three investment properties. She is one of five women in Cabinet.