Trevor Mallard spent $333,000 in taxpayer money on legal bills and a settlement after incorrectly accusing a Parliamentary staffer of rape.

Taxpayers should not have to cover the bill for Trevor Mallard’s careless accusations. He must commit to paying back the taxpayer money handed over to the accused staffer and the Labour Party’s law firm.

The Speaker is paid a taxpayer-funded salary of $296,000, so he should have no trouble working out a payment plan with Parliamentary Services.