Legislative Assembly authorities say they have no record of approving the use of a taxpayer-funded car by the wife of Liberals MLA Jeremy Hanson.
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Mr Hanson has said several times that the arrangement, where Mrs Hanson drives her husband's taxpayer supplied car while he uses their family car in his bid for re-election was approved by assembly authorities.
Mr Hanson, the Liberals' health and prisons spokesman, has been driving a late model Holden Captiva emblazoned with his picture and slogans for the past several months.
Mrs Hanson has been using the MLA's taxpayer provided Ford Territory, which cannot be used for electioneering purposes, for the couple's private use.
The Liberals' health spokesman was forced to defend the arrangement this week after Labor officials accused him of an ''arrogant exploitation'' of the generous car allowances that are enjoyed by MLAs. Mr Hanson shot back, accusing his opponents of ''grubby tactics'' and seeking to use his family for political mileage.
Mr Hanson has said several times that his arrangement has been ticked off by the assembly authorities as within the rules governing politicians' perks and entitlements.
But both the office of the Clerk of the Assembly and of the Speaker have told The Canberra Times that they were not approached by Mr Hanson or anyone else to approve the arrangement. Mr Hanson has not responded to a request to produce the advice from the Clerk's office ''ticking off'' the arrangement. ''Well, the rules are quite clear what the cars can be used for,'' he replied. ''My wife's quite entitled to use my family car that is part of my salary package.''