Accusations of double dipping and payments for travel that can’t be taken prompt calls for MP allowance overhaul
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Treasurer Rob Lucas has forecast stricter spending rules for a controversial MP travel allowance amid calls for an overhaul of a raft of pollie bonuses.
The head of South Australia’s Council of Social Services Ross Womersley has called for MPs to rethink extra payments that are afforded to them as the coronavirus has changed their working habits including the need, and ability, to travel overseas and interstate.
Meanwhile an outgoing MP has written to the independent tribunal that sets MPs pays raising concerns over ‘double dipping’ payments in a move that will frustrate those he works alongside.
State MPs salaries have been frozen this year, but allowances are in the spotlight after Liberal MP, and President of the Legislative Council, Terry Stephens was referred to ICAC following questions about the use of a country members allowance.
Mr Stephens has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Greens MLC Mark Parnell has written to the Remuneration Tribunal with a raft of concerns about a raft of allowances including a five-year-old common allowance that he believes continues to allow double dipping and other loadings that he believes are unnecessary.
Mr Lucas defended the allowances paid to MPs that include additional cash for electorates, parliamentary roles and ‘trade offs’ for previous benefits.
However, he suggested greater transparency measures will be implemented for the country members allowance.
“Coming out of the country allowance debate there will probably be a change which will have greater transparency in terms of that allowance,” he said.
“That is one of the issues I am sure that will be discussed over the coming weeks.”
Mr Womersley said having sound, qualified political leaders in our parliament who are reasonably resourced to do their job is a vital services paid for by taxpayers.
“There clearly needs to be transparency about the nature of allowances, their purpose and application,” he said.
Mr Womersley said MPs should be held to same levels of “extraordinary transparency of anyone making an application for the JobSeeker payment or the pension.”
He said additional money provided to cover costs of travel should be reconsidered.
“Outside of regional MP’s, it’s hard to imagine our parliamentary representatives have been undertaking much of the travel commonly expected of them,” he said.
“if so, on the face of it an allowance provided for this purpose should certainly be reviewed and presumably reduced.”
In his submission to the tribunal Mr Parnell said Ministers are already entitled to accommodation and meals allowances meaning they were “double dipping” considering they also get a common allowance aimed at covering travel costs.
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“Ministers should not be able to claim the first $13,977 in any one year for accommodation or meals on the grounds that they have already been compensated for those expenses.
“Other Members of parliament are required to meet those travel, accommodation and meal expenses from the Common Allowance, so Ministers should as well.”
Mr Parnell has also suggested the distance for eligibility for the country members allowance should be 100kms, rather than 75kms from Adelaide.
“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.
He has also called for a raft of additional measures including greater proof of primary residence, where people stay and the ability to get home at a reasonable hour.
“The public should not have to wait for a scandal to emerge before finding out who is claiming these allowances,” he said.
An Opposition spokesman said Labor strongly supports transparency and accountability when it comes to taxpayers’ money and the payment of allowances to MPs.
“The Opposition will consider any other proposals put forward to improve transparency and accountability in this area.
“The Opposition is currently considering these matters and will be looking to make a submission (to the tribunal).”