JPL DECLARES GAME ON

BULLISH SURFERS MP HITS BACK

MP John-Paul Langbroek is hitting back at insinuations his snout is in the trough over taxpayer-funded hotel stays and a UK trip for the Queen’s Baton Relay.

The under-fire senior Opposition member, who recently repaid money charged to taxpayers for three hotel stays minutes from home, hopes to go to London for the launch of the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay.

But Mr Langbroek (pictured) says it’s no junket – and has support from former premier Peter Beattie, now chairman of the Gold Coast Commonwealth h Games organising committee (GOLDOC).

In a wide-ranging inay, interview yesterday, a bullish Mr Langbroek, revealed he:

had not justust repaid the most-recent financial year’s hotel bills but the year prior ior also;

was asked d by his Opposition leader Tim Nicholls to apply to go the Queen’s Baton relay launch in his place;pla was “exhorted” ed to attend the launchla by both MrM Beattie and GamesG legacy committee chair Rob Borbidge as a showsh of bipartisan GamesGa support. Yesterday,Y Mr BeattieBeatt tweeted: “With“W a state election tio due before theth C’Wealth Games we need bipartisanship. John-Paul Langbroek is needed in London to show support.”

Mr Langbroek, who submitted a written request to Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones for inclusion in the trip, said it was “gracious” of Mr Beattie to publicly support him going.

“He is taking much more of a world view and Queensland economy view rather than a small-minded ‘politicians shouldn’t travel view’. For a former Labor premier to say that about a local member of Parliament, I really appreciate that,” Mr Langbroek said.

Mr Langbroek said in the absence of Mr Nicholls he was the “normal replacement” as shadow Games minister.

“(Mr Nicholls) asked me to write the letter saying I was his delegate. I’m the servant who gets told this is what you are going to do.”

Mr Langbroek said his place in the official delegation would not be confirmed until later this week because certain protocols needed clearing for a visit to Buckingham Palace.

Earlier this month Mr Langbroek agreed to repay money he charged taxpayers for staying in hotels minutes from his home.

The refund came after expenditure reports were highlighted revealing he claimed $270 three times in the past year for Main Beach and Broadbeach hotel stays after events in his electorate.

Mr Langbroek’s claims were within parliamentary expense rules but he conceded they “obviously failed” the community expectation test.

“I’m not the only one who did it but the focus has been on me. All I ask for is consistency.”