FEDERAL Health Minister Sussan Ley has stood aside without pay over the scandal surrounding her travel claims (PD Breaking News yesterday).
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed Ley has agreed to stand aside while the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet conducts an investigation into her travel claims.
"The secretary will thoroughly investigate the travel claims and the Minister has assured me that she will promptly provide all information and assistance sought by the secretary for the purpose of this investigation," Turnbull said.
During the conduct of investigations, Senator Arthur Sinodinos (pictured) will assume responsibility for the portfolio of Health, Aged Care and Sport.
The investigations relate to Gold Coast travel costs associated with ministerial business but where Ley and her partner also purchased an ocean-view apartment for $795,000 in May 2015 (PD 09 Jan).
Other concerns relate to New Year's Eve travel for parties on the Gold Coast with Sarina Russo and the potential for this to spillover into other ministers' NYE travel.
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