Tarneit MP Telmo Languiller has defended his parliamentary travel expenses after coming under fire for two taxpayer-funded trips to Uruguay.
Mr Languiller, Speaker of the State Parliament, said the trips to his country of origin were above board, and had generated and responded to opportunities to build connections beneficial to Victoria.
“In particular, being the only Spanish- speaking member of the Victorian Parliament, I have the opportunity as Speaker to facilitate contacts with countries of Latin America, which are a priority for Victoria in promoting education, mining, agriculture and tourism services,” he said in a statement.
“While governments are the main contributors to our diplomatic effort, parliaments and I, as Speaker, can play an important role by connecting with parliamentary and government representatives in other countries to encourage engagement with Victoria.”
Minister for International Education, Steve Herbert, left Victoria on Friday for a seven-day “education mission” to Latin America to discuss education and “diversifying Victoria’s international education market”.
“We know how important Latin America is for Victoria, especially for international education, and that’s why [the government] is growing its relationships throughout the region.
