20feb02

QUEENSLAND'S Commissioner of Stamp Duties has cleared former Labor frontbencher Cheryl Kernot of any wrongdoing over a stamp duty concession claimed on her Gold Coast apartment.

The commissioner's director of investigations has found Ms Kernot was entitled to the $4700 stamp duty discount, even though she spent more time living in her electorate and in Canberra.

Ms Kernot said she was pleased to have been vindicated by the inquiry.

The issue flared during last year's election campaign when it was revealed Ms Kernot spent the bulk of her time living between Canberra and a rental property in her electorate of Dickson, where she was enrolled to vote.

However, she received the stamp duty discount because she claimed the Gold Coast unit as a principal place of residence.

The Queensland Commissioner of Stamp Duties ruled Ms Kernot was entitled to the discount because her former occupation as a federal MP took her away from home.