New data shows how South Australian MP office costs are being shared around to help vulnerable seats
Liberal and Labor MPs whose jobs are most vulnerable at the next state election are getting a top up from their safe-seat friends under the controversial use of another parliamentary allowance.
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South Australian MPs have spent almost $2.8 million in the past financial year on items ranging from postage stamps, to taxi fares and self promotion, new data from the Department of Treasury and Finance shows.
The ‘Global’ allowance is also being used by both the Liberal and Labor parties to funnel the funds into the offices of the state’s most marginal MPs.
Labor MP Tony Piccolo’s office spent the most on intrastate and interstate travel – racking up $4334 on staff accompanying him on travel in his role as Opposition Local Government and Planning spokesman.
Labor colleague Nat Cook spent more than $1000 on taxis – again attributed to staff travelling with her, including trips home from the airport.
Other key expenses included $5100 from Environment Minister David Speirs for internet use which turned out to be a new website design, and $1100 for media monitoring, that his office said was in fact for email marketing software.
Under the scheme Lower House MPs get between $60,792 and $64,022 for office expenses each year, which can be topped up with money from earlier years or colleague donations. Four of the Liberals most marginal MPs – some of whom would become more vulnerable after a proposed boundary redraw released last week – were given an extra $19,000 to $25,000 to run their offices. King MP Paula Luethen was given an extra $25,000 for office expenses while her Newland colleague Richard Harvey was given $22,500. Elder MP Carolyn Power, who would go to the State Election on a razor thin margin of 0.1 per cent if the redraw is accepted in November, received an extra $19,000.
Adelaide MP Rachel Sanderson had an extra $20,000 to spend in her office. New Primary Industries Minister David Basham, $30,000, and former minister Stephan Knoll, $20,000, donated the most money from their office budget to the others.
Mawson MP Leon Bignell spent more than any other MP last year, with office expenses more than $90,000. “I exceeded my budget for the first time in 14 years because of the fires and COVID-19,” Mr Bignell said. He said his biggest expenses were for casual staff on KI during the fires.
MEANWHILE, EXPLORE CLAIMS FOR EVERY COUNTRY MP’S TRAVEL ALLOWANCES . . .