Three ministers resign amid expenses scandal as SA Premier announces Cabinet reshuffle

Three South Australian ministers and the state's Legislative Council President have resigned over the State Government's expenses saga

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll, Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone and Trade Minister David Ridgway will leave their posts in Premier Steven Marshall's Cabinet.

Upper House President Terry Stephens, who was the subject of the ABC's initial reporting over his claiming of the Country Members Accommodation Allowance, despite spending significant time at a house in Adelaide, will also step down from his position.

Premier Steven Marshall, Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman and Treasurer Rob Lucas will take over their portfolios until a new Cabinet is announced.

"The distractions of the past week have been extraordinarily disappointing and unacceptable," Mr Marshall told reporters in Adelaide.

"I don't believe there has been deliberate dishonesty … but it's very clear this is a distraction the Government doesn't need."

The resignations come as it was today revealed that Mr Knoll and Mr Whetstone claimed Country Members Accommodation Allowances before incurring any costs, despite the claim form stating the member of Parliament had already "incurred the expenses claimed".

Labor's Tom Koutsantonis said an analysis of documents had revealed Mr Knoll claimed a total of 20 nights, dating back to 2014, worth $4,406 by signing claim forms before the expenses were incurred.

He said Mr Whetstone had also claimed eight nights worth $1,758 in advance.

"No other workplace in Australia tolerates this type of behaviour where ministers can put in applications to get paid in advance of actually incurring the expenses," Mr Koutsantonis said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-26/three-sa-ministers-step-down-amid-state-expenses-scandal/12493060