Questions about Noreen Hay's 2013 trip to China continue to linger, despite the Wollongong MP moving swiftly to refute allegations of wrong-doing in State Parliament last week.
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The claims were first aired by government whip Legislative Council, Peter Phelps, last Tuesday when he cited an ABC Four Corners report on Australia's universities and foreign students.
The April 20 report mentioned Ms Hay's connection with the Shinyway Education Group - described as an unregulated agency recruiting overseas students.
The program stated SEG promised a top-line education but paid "dodgy agents offshore to drum up business ... turn a blind eye to cheating ... and turn out poorly trained graduates".
Ms Hay refuted allegations about the role she played in promoting Shinyway's business and failing to declare the overseas trip during a personal explanation to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
The Labor MP said she would provide evidence she paid for the trip and correspondence with then Premier Barry O'Farrell outlining its purpose.
"I was not the beneficiary of any complimentary travel or expenses, hence that is why I did not declare it in my pecuniary interest declaration," Ms Hay told Parliament.
However, Dr Phelps said questions remained.
"In the process of her statement, the member for Wollongong said she would table a number of documents relating to claims she made," Dr Phelps told the Legislative Council on Thursday.
"I have checked and she has tabled no documents whatsoever in order to support her assertions. I maintain my assertions until such time as she puts her money where her mouth is and tables the documents in question."
Dr Phelps also noted Ms Hay's failure to answer his questions about which three people were on the delegation she led and who paid for the fares of her personal assistant Kiley Martin.
"These are important questions that need to be answered. The member for Wollongong has failed to answer those questions," he said.
Ms Hay told the Mercury at the weekend the documents had been tabled and she would take no further part in Dr Phelps' "smear campaign".
"The documents I referred to in my personal explanation were handed to the clerk on the day," Ms Hay said.
andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
