Slipper wants copies of taxi dockets he "gave a friend" If stubs show his signature, he used them legitimately The request yesterday went to the Department of Finance
PETER Slipper has taken the first move in his defence against rorting claims by asking for copies of the taxi dockets he has been accused of giving a friend.
He is hoping that the docket stubs will show his signature and prove he used them legitimately, news.com.au has learned.
The request yesterday went to the Department of Finance and will now be part of a strictly run process established by the Howard government to deal with allegations that MPs had committed fraud with their allowances.
Mr Slipper stood aside as Speaker on Sunday as a political and legal battle raged over accusations in civil and criminal cases.
He has been accused of defrauding the taxpayer by giving a friend, a hire car driver, a wad of Commonwealth taxi dockets. He said on Sunday he would vacate the Speaker's chair while these allegations of a crime were dealt with.
He further faces a civil claim that he sexually harassed a former staff member James Ashby, who has started legal action against him.
Mr Slipper is understood to be confident he can reject claims he abused the taxi docket system and wants to settle the matter quickly and return to the Speaker's office.
Finance Minister Penny Wong yesterday said there was a set procedure for her department handling such matters and that the minister had no role in it.
Senator Wong said her department would investigate and if matters were referred to the Federal Police for charges the Government would only find out afterwards.
This was set up by former Liberal senator Nick Minchin when he was a minister.
"I want to make it very clear that ministers are not involved in the investigation of any allegation made against any member of Parliament about entitlements," said Senator Wong.
"That's a long-standing position that has been the case under both parties of government. And the reason is to ensure that the process is at arm's length from ministers.
"We have what is called the Minchin protocol which is something my predecessor Senator Minchin put in place, whereby any allegation in relation to an entitlement being utilised by a member of Parliament is dealt with by the department.
"If the department determines there should be any referral to the AFP, it is the Department that makes that decision.
"The relevant Minister, who is in fact the Special Minister of State, would be advised, but only after such referral has been made."
