NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole accused of failing to disclose income from investment properties

The NSW Deputy Premier has come under fire over allegations he earned up to $127,000 from renting out properties without disclosing the income to the parliament in an alleged breach of rules for MPs.

The latest set of disclosure forms to parliament show Paul Toole declared himself “sole owner” of three Bathurst investment properties.

During a parliamentary hearing on Thursday, Labor MP Penny Sharpe accused Mr Toole of not disclosing that he had received rent from some of those properties.

She later accused the Bathurst MP of having “wilfully failed” to declare more than $125,000 of income in what she claimed was a “gross breach” of his disclosure requirements as an MP, a minister and the Deputy Premier.

“Labor will consider all options about taking further action on this matter,” Ms Sharpe told NCA NewsWire on Thursday evening.

Earlier, Mr Toole told NCA NewsWire he would update his disclosure form.

Ms Sharpe said property searches and public records indicate the total rental income from one of the properties could be as large as $100,000, while the total income from another could amount to $27,000.

Bathurst real estate websites show the two investment properties owned by Mr Toole are listed as “leased”, one for the sum of $290 per week.

However, Mr Toole wrote “n/a” in response to a question on the disclosure form whether he had any “other income” to disclose.

“The Deputy Premier has three current properties that are not his principal place of residence, and it appears that he‘s receiving rent from some or all of these properties, and he has never declared this,” Ms Sharpe said during a budget estimates hearing.

The MP rule book says members must disclose “sources of income … all income over $500 other than salary of office”.

Asked for comment, Mr Toole said on Thursday afternoon: “I have always sought to be transparent with my pecuniary interests and disclosed the ownership of all properties as required.”

“As soon as the issue was raised, I sought clarification and have already made moves to rectify the matter.”

Ms Sharpe asked Premier Dominic Perrottet if the apparent omission by his deputy made him “concerned”.

“Well, I will obviously take that on notice,” Mr Perrottet said.

“And I would check that were to be true, and in fact, if it were to be true, and it needed to be declared, I would raise it with the Deputy Premier and with (the legal advisers at the Department of Premier and Cabinet).”

Ms Sharpe shot back: “It's a breach of the code of conduct for MPs, is it not?”

Mr Perrottet responded: “Well, I would have to seek legal advice on that from DPC.”

“And I'm taking your question at face value without understanding the circumstances of those matters,” Mr Perrottet added.

<img src="https://cue.wanews.com.au/webservice/thumbnail/article/4432290" capiid="f2560c6f4ad852baf67503d5cb4b8e83" alt="The Deputy Premier wrote "n/a" in a box asking for "other income"." id="bbbf4978-b61f-48cf-a67f-bf644a5fb80d">

Ms Sharpe told Mr Perrottet the Deputy Premier had declared a “range” of investment properties over the years, but hadn’t disclosed any extra income.

“In light of that, I would take that on notice and I would raise that directly with the Deputy Premier and determine his obligations in relation to the declaration of those properties with DPC legal,” Mr Perrottet said.

Mr Toole signed his latest disclosure form on July 14 and it was made available to the public following parliament’s post-lockdown return.

The form covers the 2020-2021 financial year.

The Bathurst MP, who was made deputy premier in the first week of October, declared his primary residence in the suburb of Kelso, as well as a gift from the Bathurst Regional Council.

He also declared a travel contribution from Qantas.

Mr Toole’s annual salary as deputy premier, including his base MP salary and an expense allowance, is $343,460.