NEWS
The Courier-Mail


Former Sunshine Coast MP Alex Somlyay. Picture: File Source: News Limited
FORMER federal MP Alex Somlyay has defended hiring his wife for electorate office work under two different names, and denied she failed to turn up for work for three years.

Mr Somlyay, expected to make a public statement on the issue Tuesday afternoon, said he and his wife had done no wrong.

The retired Sunshine Coast MP reportedly billed taxpayers $69,157.15 for his wife's employment during 2012-13 alone.

Ms Somlyay was listed in public documents as having two different names - Jennifer Bridget Somlyay and Jennifer Donovan.

Ms Donovan reportedly received payment for work in Mr Somlyay's office dating back more than a decade.

Mr Somlyay said his wife, a former manager at Telstra, had used her own name for years in a professional capacity.

He said he had hired his wife when another office worker had gone on workers' compensation.

His wife had worked in research and preparing press releases, he said.

"She was extremely well qualified for the work,'' he said.

Mr Somlyay said he would say more on the issue this afternoon at a press conference.

A source quoted in Fairfax Newspapers said Mr Somlyay's wife was not seen at work during the past three years.


yes he was a lib......I trust they will throw the BOOK AT HIM.. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

It can stop if all transactions of every government, organisation, and individual was public via the internet.

Every financial transaction without exclusion.


Who would commit illegal activities then on purpose.

Transperancy is the solution to most issues.

____ wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:10am:

It can stop if all transactions of every government, organisation, and individual was public via the internet. Every financial transaction without exclusion. Who would commit illegal activities then on purpose. Transperancy is the solution to most issues.

OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO not another govt dept.  please...

he could have to repay and then pay another 25%....on top.. I dont think 25% is enough...but its better than nothing...

this guy would have been one of the best at rorting I would say.........what a creep...I want Jail in some cases its out and out STEALING>> grande Larceny.,.. call it what you will..but in the private sector he would get time in jail wouldnt he..

Why would you think a government dept is required.

With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future.

In time all governments could be dispanded.

It's not going to stop, until we have total transparency.

Having a 100% interest rate might be a good start - with the extra money going to a charity?

____ wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:18am:

Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded.

So this is the Green future your party are telling you to advocate?
Totalitarianism worse than contemplated even in "1984"?
It's as well you've come out into the open with your wish-list for a fascist future. "Everyone would be the police of the future". Just what Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin tried to implement.
I know YOU are not interested in knowing about what happened in the past, you said so a few days ago.
You obviously wouldn't want anyone else to know about it either, thus we have the dumbing down of school curriculums.
Very dangerous people the Greens!

bogarde73 wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:34am:

____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:18am: Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded. So this is the Green future your party are telling you to advocate? Totalitarianism worse than contemplated even in "1984"? It's as well you've come out into the open with your wish-list for a fascist future. "Everyone would be the police of the future". Just what Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin tried to implement. I know YOU are not interested in knowing about what happened in the past, you said so a few days ago. You obviously wouldn't want anyone else to know about it either, thus we have the dumbing down of school curriculums. Very dangerous people the Greens!

It is my opinion. Please try and realise Greens operate with a democratic grassroot who can work at forwrding their ideas with likeminded people within and outside the party.


Also this idea is via evolution of the current concept of democracy and has nothing to do with communism or fascism.


Greens people are dangerous, I give you that, since we are the revolutionaries of the current generation.

____ wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:18am:

Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded.

of course it would mean a WHOLE NEW DEPT.. otherwise all their lurks and perks will be out there in the market place and they wouldnt like that to happen......why do you only think we hear about this if it escapes now.. this guy is being investigated..but look at him its been going on for years... and  I have never heard of the bloke....

if it can all be sorted without the world knowing thats good for them isnt it?

Fit of Absent Mindeness wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:25am:

It's not going to stop, until we have total transparency. Having a 100% interest rate might be a good start - with the extra money going to a charity?

exactly 25% isnt enough but it is a start....banishment from the party NEXT depending on the size of the rort....

and Jail in some of the worst cases....like this one..

what a disgrace to the Libs....shame on this mongrel may all his chickens be rooster. and may they all roost on his house.

cods wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:46am:

____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:18am: Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded. of course it would mean a WHOLE NEW DEPT.. otherwise all their lurks and perks will be out there in the market place and they wouldnt like that to happen......why do you only think we hear about this if it escapes now.. this guy is being investigated..but look at him its been going on for years... and  I have never heard of the bloke.... if it can all be sorted without the world knowing thats good for them isnt it?

How, if everyone with an internet connection could watch any and all transactions and so bring forward people cheating the system.

It's a step toward deleteling government departments rather than creating new ones.

____ wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:53am:

cods wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:46am: ____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:18am: Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded. of course it would mean a WHOLE NEW DEPT.. otherwise all their lurks and perks will be out there in the market place and they wouldnt like that to happen......why do you only think we hear about this if it escapes now.. this guy is being investigated..but look at him its been going on for years... and  I have never heard of the bloke.... if it can all be sorted without the world knowing thats good for them isnt it? How, if everyone with an internet connection could watch any and all transactions and so bring forward people cheating the system. It's a step toward deleteling government departments rather than creating new ones.

someone would have to collect data someone would have to enter data on your chosen website....can you trust that person???????

this is very personal as we have already found out with those who happen to be going to a wedding where they have a hand to shake on behalf of the govt... what a coincidence..???? ::) ::)


nah it would mean a whole new dept.. probably within ASIO...

just more jobs for the boys.

cods wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:58am:

____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:53am: cods wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:46am: ____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:18am: Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded. of course it would mean a WHOLE NEW DEPT.. otherwise all their lurks and perks will be out there in the market place and they wouldnt like that to happen......why do you only think we hear about this if it escapes now.. this guy is being investigated..but look at him its been going on for years... and  I have never heard of the bloke.... if it can all be sorted without the world knowing thats good for them isnt it? How, if everyone with an internet connection could watch any and all transactions and so bring forward people cheating the system. It's a step toward deleteling government departments rather than creating new ones. someone would have to collect data someone would have to enter data on your chosen website....can you trust that person??????? this is very personal as we have already found out with those who happen to be going to a wedding where they have a hand to shake on behalf of the govt... what a coincidence..???? ::) ::) nah it would mean a whole new dept.. probably within ASIO... just more jobs for the boys.

What are you taking about. Is there someone tying your bank account transactions as they happen … or are they computerised?


Also transactions are interconnected so all transactions would be easily followed.

So reducing fraud and the requirement of policing and punishment, so reducing costs and saving taxes for the more vital services.

the only way to stop it is to start jailing the f#ckers .... it should be automatic loss of position, with an automatic bi election to find a replacement MP.

____ wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 11:03am:

cods wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:58am: ____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:53am: cods wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:46am: ____ wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:18am: Why would you think a government dept is required. With transperency on all movement of currency, if any disappeared from sight then that could be tracked to show someone is hiding money. Everyone would be the police of the future. In time all governments could be dispanded. of course it would mean a WHOLE NEW DEPT.. otherwise all their lurks and perks will be out there in the market place and they wouldnt like that to happen......why do you only think we hear about this if it escapes now.. this guy is being investigated..but look at him its been going on for years... and  I have never heard of the bloke.... if it can all be sorted without the world knowing thats good for them isnt it? How, if everyone with an internet connection could watch any and all transactions and so bring forward people cheating the system. It's a step toward deleteling government departments rather than creating new ones. someone would have to collect data someone would have to enter data on your chosen website....can you trust that person??????? this is very personal as we have already found out with those who happen to be going to a wedding where they have a hand to shake on behalf of the govt... what a coincidence..???? ::) ::) nah it would mean a whole new dept.. probably within ASIO... just more jobs for the boys. What are you taking about. Is there someone tying your bank account transactions as they happen … or are they computerised? Also transactions are interconnected so all transactions would be easily followed. So reducing fraud and the requirement of policing and punishment, so reducing costs and saving taxes for the more vital services.

SOMEONE HAS TO PASS THESE CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT....

YES THEY DO......

they book their trip on a plane probably with a credit card...

the plane company claims the amount....and they get paid by the finance dept...who say that was a legit claim...

then down the track.. I dont know how its found out.. but the media find out Abbott went to a wedding.. when he claimed all those plane flights....

so the FINANCE DEPT ask for the money to be returned as they have already forked out to the plane company..

this is not all handled by a computer.its not like direct debits.. cancelling it when it suits...or reversing...

if someone took money out of your bank account would you be able to fix that up by yourself.. or would you need to contact the bank and sort it out???????????...

the computer only does what its programmed to do..it doesnt make decisions about honesty....it doesnt pick up a phone and check something out...



yes humans do come in handy once in a while.

when you discover that computer that will do the ironing and the cooking let me know wont you?

cods wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:06am:

NEWS The Courier-Mail Former Sunshine Coast MP Alex Somlyay. Picture: File Source: News Limited FORMER federal MP Alex Somlyay has defended hiring his wife for electorate office work under two different names, and denied she failed to turn up for work for three years. Mr Somlyay, expected to make a public statement on the issue Tuesday afternoon, said he and his wife had done no wrong. The retired Sunshine Coast MP reportedly billed taxpayers $69,157.15 for his wife's employment during 2012-13 alone. Ms Somlyay was listed in public documents as having two different names - Jennifer Bridget Somlyay and Jennifer Donovan. Ms Donovan reportedly received payment for work in Mr Somlyay's office dating back more than a decade. Mr Somlyay said his wife, a former manager at Telstra, had used her own name for years in a professional capacity. He said he had hired his wife when another office worker had gone on workers' compensation. His wife had worked in research and preparing press releases, he said. "She was extremely well qualified for the work,'' he said. Mr Somlyay said he would say more on the issue this afternoon at a press conference. A source quoted in Fairfax Newspapers said Mr Somlyay's wife was not seen at work during the past three years. yes he was a lib......I trust they will throw the BOOK AT HIM.. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

I Concur!

John Smith wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 11:09am:

the only way to stop it is to start jailing the f#ckers .... it should be automatic loss of position, with an automatic bi election to find a replacement MP.

Agreed. At the moment some (and I stress some because most from both sides are actually pretty decent) politicians from both sides just take us for ride like this and they do it because they can. Let's see what happens to Somlyay. Unfortunately I doubt that it will be anything more than a slap on the wrist.

cods wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 10:06am:

NEWS The Courier-Mail Former Sunshine Coast MP Alex Somlyay. Picture: File Source: News Limited FORMER federal MP Alex Somlyay has defended hiring his wife for electorate office work under two different names, and denied she failed to turn up for work for three years. Mr Somlyay, expected to make a public statement on the issue Tuesday afternoon, said he and his wife had done no wrong. The retired Sunshine Coast MP reportedly billed taxpayers $69,157.15 for his wife's employment during 2012-13 alone. Ms Somlyay was listed in public documents as having two different names - Jennifer Bridget Somlyay and Jennifer Donovan. Ms Donovan reportedly received payment for work in Mr Somlyay's office dating back more than a decade. Mr Somlyay said his wife, a former manager at Telstra, had used her own name for years in a professional capacity. He said he had hired his wife when another office worker had gone on workers' compensation. His wife had worked in research and preparing press releases, he said. "She was extremely well qualified for the work,'' he said. Mr Somlyay said he would say more on the issue this afternoon at a press conference. A source quoted in Fairfax Newspapers said Mr Somlyay's wife was not seen at work during the past three years. yes he was a lib......I trust they will throw the BOOK AT HIM.. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

What's new; greed of politicians knows no limits; doesn't from which party they are or independents.
They all get well paid legally, but that is not good enough for them.
Politicians in most democracies only govern for their own and their cronies benefits.

hawil wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 2:18pm:

cods wrote on Jan 17th, 2014 at 10:06am: NEWS The Courier-Mail Former Sunshine Coast MP Alex Somlyay. Picture: File Source: News Limited FORMER federal MP Alex Somlyay has defended hiring his wife for electorate office work under two different names, and denied she failed to turn up for work for three years. Mr Somlyay, expected to make a public statement on the issue Tuesday afternoon, said he and his wife had done no wrong. The retired Sunshine Coast MP reportedly billed taxpayers $69,157.15 for his wife's employment during 2012-13 alone. Ms Somlyay was listed in public documents as having two different names - Jennifer Bridget Somlyay and Jennifer Donovan. Ms Donovan reportedly received payment for work in Mr Somlyay's office dating back more than a decade. Mr Somlyay said his wife, a former manager at Telstra, had used her own name for years in a professional capacity. He said he had hired his wife when another office worker had gone on workers' compensation. His wife had worked in research and preparing press releases, he said. "She was extremely well qualified for the work,'' he said. Mr Somlyay said he would say more on the issue this afternoon at a press conference. A source quoted in Fairfax Newspapers said Mr Somlyay's wife was not seen at work during the past three years. yes he was a lib......I trust they will throw the BOOK AT HIM.. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( What's new; greed of politicians knows no limits; doesn't matter from which party they are or independents. They all get well paid legally, but that is not good enough for them. Politicians in most democracies only govern for their own and their cronies benefits.