South Eastern Metropolitan MP Gordon Rich-Phillips believes there was no conflict of interest in his voting against the UGB.By Kelly Yates
SOUTH Eastern Metropolitan MP Gordon Rich-Phillips has hit back at claims he should have declared a conflict of interest in relation to his family owning a property in Narre Warren South, near Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary.
Mr Rich-Phillips told the News he didn’t declare the ownership when he joined his Opposition colleagues in voting against a government bill to expand the UGB because he had “no legal or financial interest in the property.”
“I do live there but there was no conflict of interest to declare. You only declare the properties you own,” he said.
He said the Pound Road property, which is listed for sale for $2.2 million on real estate website Buymyplace.com.au, had been within the UGB since the UGB was established, and would not benefit from any changes proposed by the GAIC legislation and possible extension of the boundary.
Mr Rich-Phillips is the contact for sales information for the property on the website.
“I have fully complied with all requirements for declarations of interests,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
A State Government spokesperson said MPs must abide by a specific code of conduct which made it clear the member must declare any interest they have that might be affected by debate before Parliament.
“This was clearly the case when the house where Mr Rich-Phillips resides, owned by his family, is being sold with the clear selling point that it is on the edge of Victoria’s growth corridor. He should have declared this during the GAIC debate. Mr Rich-Phillips should stand aside as chair of the Upper House committee and Ted Baillieu must show leadership on this issue and hold a full investigation.”
