Vic MP should explain spending: premier
A Victorian upper house MP should cut short an overseas trip to address allegations he misused $40,000 from a union fund, the premier says.
Fairfax Media has published an analysis of credit card spending attributed to Labor MP Cesar Melhem when he was the Victorian head of the Australian Workers Union.
The card, linked to the AWU's Industry 2020 fund, was used to pay for expensive restaurant dinners and personal items such as alcohol, home entertainment gear and cigars, it was reported.
Mr Melhem should return from Bali to address the "significant allegations", Premier Denis Napthine told reporters on Wednesday.
"Cesar Melhem needs to come, front the people of Victoria, and explain himself," Dr Napthine said.
"If he is not prepared to come home immediately then Daniel Andrews, as leader of the party, should order him to come home and explain himself."
The analysis took in documents submitted to the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption in September, where Mr Melhem was also questioned over the Industry 2020 fund.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said he stood by Mr Melhem.
"These matters are before the royal commission and the royal commission should be allowed to do its job," Mr Andrews also told reporters.
"Let's wait and see what the findings are."
