Politicians’ travel entitlements, car allowance rises as cost of living bites
Queensland politicians will breathe easier in the cost of living crunch as the state’s remuneration tribunal moves to handover more cash for travel and motor vehicle use.
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Queensland politicians have received a generous rise in their vehicle allowance – taking it to $10,000 more than the cost of running a small car – amid the cost-of-living crunch.
The Queensland Independent Remuneration Tribunal has determined to increase the motor vehicle allowance paid to the state’s 93 members of parliament by 3 per cent.
The allowance – which amounts to $27,778 for MPs in smaller electorates, $34,850 for medium and $45,715 for those with the largest electorates – is paid to MPs in advance, regardless of their vehicle running expenses.
The extra cash was granted by the tribunal, which considered an RACQ report that found the cost of running a private medium vehicle was about $16,310 each year.
An all-terrain vehicle was considered by the RACQ to be the most costly car, about $22,738 a year.
The remuneration tribunal, which reviews the pay and allowances of politicians annually, noted increased fuel, registration and insurance, tyres and service costs contributed to its decision to raise the allowance.
It also noted the differing increases across car types, including electric vehicles.
The motor vehicle allowance is paid in addition to the salary of at least $203,685 for members of parliament – which includes $26,776 every backbencher gets for also sitting on a committee.
The allowance is granted in a lump sum and, according to the tribunal, is not subject to acquittal, reporting or audit requirements.
Politicians’ general travel allocation, which covers airfares, taxis and daily travel expenses, has also increased by 4 per cent because MPs are spending more.
Members of parliament with electorates less than 4499sq km receive an $18,360 travel allowance while electorates between 4500-49,999sq km receive $30,040; 50,000-99,999sq km get $40,000 and MPs with the largest electorates above 100,000sq km are allocated $79,700 in travel allowance.
Politicians travelling for parliamentary business can draw down their general travel allowance and claim $416 per day for stays in Australian capital cities, Wellington and Port Moresby.
The daily allowance for travel to all other destinations is $330 per day.
In deciding to increase the payments to politicians, the tribunal said it considered the value to the community of a Member of the Legislative Assembly carrying out their role, functions and responsibilities and the importance of a member being appropriately remunerated for carrying out their role.
Tribunal chair Keitha Dunstan noted LNP portfolio spokespeople and leaders of minor parties often travelled more frequently than the majority of other backbench members and noted there was no recognition in the current framework for this additional travel.
She said the tribunal would again write to the premier requesting he consider adjusting the opposition’s budget to fund the travel.
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Originally published as Politicians’ travel entitlements, car allowance rises as cost of living bites
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