The Corruption and Crime Commission has delivered a scathing report, following an inquiry into WA’s electorate allowances system — forming an opinion of serious misconduct against former MP Phillip Edman.

The report has recommended improved controls on allowances using Mr Edman to highlight how easily the system can be abused.

The CCC has found Mr Edman inappropriately used some of his electoral allowance between 2013 and 2017 on visits to exotic strip clubs, private Christmas parties and expenses associated with his yacht. The report also says he used his allowances to pay the bills of a female companion he met on the ‘sugar daddy’ website Seeking Arrangements and on speeding fines.

Corruption and Crime Commissioner John McKechnie told Gareth Parker there are ‘absolutely no controls’ over the money paid into the MPs accounts for electorate allowances.

“There are a number of ways accountability can be improved, while recognising that a government should not be prescriptive about a member’s discretionary spend,” he said.

“I think the rules lack clarity, they need an examination.”

Read the CCC report here.

Investigations are continuing.

Download this podcast here