Australian Minister Resigns After Being Accused of Taking Public Money for Private Purposes

Australian Health Minister Sussan Ley insists she has done nothing wrong but has decided to resign pending an investigation.

Ms Sussan Ley insists she did not break the law - Photo: Andrew Meares

On January 9, Australian Health Minister Sussan Ley announced her resignation after being accused of using public funds for a personal work trip.

According to the Australian newspaper The Australian, Ms Ley made a trip to the Gold Coast city of Queensland using taxpayers' money to buy a AU$795,000 apartment there.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Ms Ley had agreed to stand down and forgo her salary while the investigation was carried out. He also said he expected all ministers in his cabinet to respect the standards set for ministers, particularly when it comes to spending public funds.

Speaking to reporters on January 9, Minister Ley said she did not expect to be permanently removed from her position, and stated that she was confident that the investigation would prove that she had not broken the law.

"I have nothing to hide. I have not broken any rules," she said.

Meanwhile, Australian MP Catherine King said Ms Ley had failed to adequately explain the use of taxpayer funds for the trip, and that Malcolm Turnbull should have sacked Ms Ley.

Ms Ley said her decision to buy a house during a trip to the Gold Coast in May 2015 was "unplanned".

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce defended Ms Ley, saying her purchase of a home during the visit was "legitimate business", and that buying a home was not the reason she came to the Gold Coast, she was there for work, according to ABC News.

According to Tuoi Tre