State politicians, on $216k a year, warned against illegally parking outside Parliament House

Rogue South Australian politicians, who earn at least $216,000 a year, are illegally parking in the centre of Adelaide, leaked documents have revealed.

Some rogue MPs have been called out for parking in front of Parliament House much longer than the 30-minute limit. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Rogue South Australian politicians are illegally parking in free parliamentary spots in the centre of Adelaide, leaked documents reveal.

In an unprecedented rebuke on Wednesday, the state’s 69 MPs, who are paid at least $216,742 a-year, were warned against “repeatedly abusing” rules.

A leaked memo from authorities laid bare problems with MPs wrongly parking their cars in a 30-minute zone outside Parliament House, on North Tce, for “hours at a time”.

Upper House President Terry Stephens on Wednesday afternoon warned guilty politicians faced parking bans if their rule breaching continued.

Parliament would also not seek to have relevant Adelaide City Council parking fines worth $77 waived, or paid on their behalf.

Politicians have been caught out illegally parking for free. Picture: Matt Loxton

Parliament House Parking on North Tce. Picture: Ben Clark

It is understood no MP has sought such a waiver.

Senior parliamentary sources described Mr Stephens’ memo as “unprecedented”, which had left innocent MPs angry at another public backlash in a cost-of-living crisis.

“It is disappointing that some MPs put their convenience ahead of the parliament’s ability to service the public,” one said.

Official rules allow MPs with free parking in the adjacent Adelaide Festival Plaza carpark, which has a walkway to parliament.

The almost 120m zone outside parliament is a “permit zone”, where official visitors can park for up to 30 minutes, disabled parking, media, or other official cars.

Public parking charges vary from $5 short stays at nearby council U-Parks or $17 for all day early bird motorists. On street areas vary between $3.40 and $5.30 an hour.

Most areas around parliament are “no stopping zones”.

Most areas around Parliament House are “no stopping zones. Ben Clark

In a memo to 47 lower house MPs and 22 Legislative Council colleagues, Mr Stephens, as chairman of Joint Parliamentary Service Committee, which operates parliament, warned the practice had to change.

“It has been brought to the attention of the … committee that Members of Parliament have been parking their vehicles at the front of Parliament House for hours at a time in breach of … rules,” he wrote.

“All members have access to free parking in the nested area of the Festival Car Park where they are able to park for unlimited time without taking up restricted parking for aged or infirm visitors, genuine short stay members and official cars on North Terrace.

“Further, members are reminded that they should park on North Terrace within the permit area, only one of the nominated vehicles is permitted to park at any one time and for maximum of 30 minutes.

Parliament House Parking on North Tce, Adelaide CBD. Ben Clark

“Members are advised that should they repeatedly abuse the parking privileges without due cause, their permit will be revoked.

“Members should note that (we) will not seek a waiver of infringement notices issued in breach of the rules.”

Mr Stephens, an Upper House MP for 23 years, last night said it was a “reminder members have obligations”.

“Some rip in and rip out and sometimes may get talking to people, like with journalists,” he said.

“But we need to keep the flow going for visitors and we don’t want to make it hard for them.

“I don’t like to be the school principal but sometimes you have to be.

“We want to make this place as accessible as possible for those who own it, who are the people of South Australia.”

Another politician said they were “one of many MPs” to park out the front of parliament.

“If this is what they’re worrying about then they need to reassess their priorities,” they said.

Originally published as State politicians, on $216k a year, warned against illegally parking outside Parliament House