Baillieu Government on a political tender hook

Backbench MP caught in drug dispute shoot-up likely to return to parliament

• John Ferguson
• From: The Australian
• August 04, 2011 12:00AM

An anxious Baillieu government has predicted a backbench MP will turn up for parliament in a fortnight to keep the administration in power.

This despite having her house shot up in an alleged dispute over drug money.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu yesterday dismissed as "nonsense" reports that Lorraine Wreford had fled overseas after her house and car were sprayed with bullets.

Her son, Adrian, was reportedly the target in an apparent dispute over drug money.

Mr Baillieu claimed the member for the marginal seat of Mordialloc was away on annual leave, which had been authorised before the drama unfolded.

His government has a majority of just one seat and needs her support to remain in power.

"She's on annual leave, previously scheduled," the Premier insisted. "There's no suggestion in any way she has been a target or (is) involved."

The dispute is reportedly over $5000 owed by her son from several years ago.

A Melbourne court was told this week that Ms Wreford had left Australia after the incident.

Six men were reportedly arrested over the July 5 incident.

Ms Wreford left her home and sheltered in emergency accommodation.

The incident is an unwelcome distraction for the government, which holds 45 seats in the 88-seat parliament.

It is widely thought the government would win any by-election in the outer southeastern Melbourne seat