Former Governor at centre of new political storm

Press, 6 December 1985, Page 29

Former Governor at centre of new political storm

NZPA-AAP Melbourne The former Governor of Victoria, Sir Brian Murray, is at the centre of a new political storm over the sale of a near-new Mercedes Benz car. The Victorian Government agreed to reimburse Sir Brian sAust.2s,ooo ($30,000) for duty on the car after his October resignation in the wake of his acceptance of free airline tickets. Sir Brian was forced to step down on October 3 under pressure from the state’s Premier, Mr John

Cain, after it was found he had accepted free air travel from Continental Airlines and free accommodation from 'a prominent Melbourne businessman.

The $25,000 was part of a package which included sAust.sB,ooo ($69,600) a year pension, a sAust3o,ooo ($36,000) lump sum, and sAust.ls,ooo ($18,000) to help pay removal costs. Mr Cain has refused to comment on the sale, but Government sources said Mr Cain and senior Ministers were furious at Sir Brian’s action.

Industry sources said the car was in mint condition and would have sold for close to its original price tag of sAust.72,ooo ($86,400). Sir Brian did not tell the Government he was selling the car. It is not known if he would have to repay some or all of the $25,000 if he made a profit on the deal. “I sold it (the car) because I could no longer afford it,” Sir Brian said. “I am not allowed to make any comment.” Sir Brian’s wife, Lady Murray, said that the finan-

cial pressures of maintaining the viability of a farm and vineyard near Canberra ' had made it necessary to sell the car. Lady Murray said the car was sold because of an urgent need for farm equipment including a tractor. She said that whoever provided information about sale of the car “must be a very devious and conniving person.” “We have had enough of this press-prying into our private lives and could we please ask you to leave us alone,” she said.