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..