I'm under scrutiny: Crook
Former WA Nationals MP Tony Crook has revealed he is being investigated for the potential misuse of office and printing allowances.
But he is adamant he has done nothing wrong and claims he is a victim of a smear campaign run by opponents before the Federal election campaign.
The revelations come as Federal MPs continue to come under scrutiny over lavish travel spending at taxpayers' expense, with one WA Liberal MP who has repaid thousands of dollars urging rules be made clearer for MPs.
Mr Crook told _The West Australian _yesterday he had received what he called a "please explain" from the Department of Finance just before the election asking for details of his use of printing entitlements, an office franking machine and government emails.
He wrote back rebutting all concerns but had not heard from the department.
Asked if he considered himself under department investigation, he said: "I guess so until such time as I receive a letter back."
_The Kalgoorlie Miner _reported this year that complaints had been made that Mr Crook's Federally-funded office had been improperly used by State Nationals to send out State election campaign letters and how-to-vote cards - a major breach of rules that could lead to police charges.
"As far as I am concerned, I have got no concerns about entitlements," Mr Crook, who resigned from Parliament months before the election was called, said. Tangney MP Dennis Jensen said travel entitlement rules were "deliberately ambiguous" and should be made clear.
He said he repaid travel expenses four or five years ago after he made "honest mistakes".
Department records put the repayments at more than $13,000.
Former deputy prime minister Wayne Swan defended using a VIP jet to fly himself, his daughter and staffers to the 2010 AFL grand final replay and NRL grand final, costing almost $18,000.
"I was invited as the acting prime minister," he said.
