75km cut-off that allows country MPs to claim travel allowance should be wider, Labor and the Greens say

The 75km limit that allows country MPs access to a controversial travel allowance costing taxpayers millions should be widened, Labor and the Greens say, because cars and roads have improved.

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Both Labor and the Greens have questioned whether 75km away from Adelaide is enough to justify MPs getting a controversial country members allowance.

In submissions to a South Australian Remuneration Tribunal hearing in Adelaide on Tuesday, Greens MP Mark Parnell and Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said better cars and roads meant the 75km distance was no longer an unreasonable commute.

In a rare move the Liberals, Labor and Greens have written to the Remuneration Tribunal, which sets MPs pay and conditions, to outline any changes they believe should be made.

The allowance permits MPs who live 75km or more from the Adelaide general post office to claim $234 a night when away from home.

In a written submission, provided to The Advertiser, Mr Mullighan asked for a full review of the allowance and the conditions under which it is made available to country members.

“It is our understanding that the current threshold for claiming the allowance – that the usual place of residence of the member is more than 75 kilometres by road from the General Post Office (GPO) at Adelaide (by the most direct route) – was established many years ago,” Mr Mullighan said.

The 75km limit that allows country MPs to claim a travel allowance would be widened under a Labor and Greens suggestion. NOTE: Actual travel time by road could be longer for some towns within the 75km radius on our map.

“We request that the Remuneration Tribunal review the appropriateness of that threshold given the advancements in motor vehicles and upgrades to road infrastructure across South Australia.

“To restore public confidence, it is the Opposition view that there should also be an enhanced integrity regime to enforce compliance with the rules and requirements of the scheme.”

Mr Parnell, who appeared before the Tribunal on Tuesday morning, agreed.

“The degree of difficulty and time taken to drive from Adelaide to Victor Harbor, the Barossa or the lower Mid-North has substantially reduced over the years,” he said.

Stephen Knoll stepped down as a minister after his claims were made public. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Major freeway construction and other road works have slashed the time it takes to make trips to most of the regions close to Adelaide.

“A consideration of the Tribunal should be whether allowances such as this reflect community values and whether the public would consider it reasonable for a Member to be paid an additional $31,590 per year for the privilege of having two homes – one at Victor Harbor and the other in Adelaide. I don’t think it passes the pub test, water-cooler test, sniff test or any other test.

“I expect that most people understand that genuine country members from far-flung regional centres should be given assistance to stay in Adelaide for work purposes, but not someone from “just down the road a bit”.

“I note that a 100km distance would still allow Members living in Port Wakefield or Clare to be eligible, but not in towns or regions closer to Adelaide which are not uncommon or unreasonable commuting distances for other South Australians.”

In the State Government’s submission Treasurer Rob Lucas said it strongly opposed a change to the 75km limit.

SA Treasurer Rob Lucas after the Cabinet reshuffle brought on by the accommodation travel scandal. Picture: Matt Loxton

“We submit it would be unreasonable to require a country Member to drive 100 kilometres home each night after evening functions in Adelaide which might not conclude until 10pm or 11pm,” Mr Lucas said.

Last month Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander confirmed he would investigate whether any MPs who have claimed the controversial country member’s accommodation allowance over the past 10 years have been rorting the system.

Three State Government Ministers, the Government Whip and the President of the Upper House, have resigned since questions started being raised over the allowance and it was revealed one of them had signed blank time sheets for a chauffeur.