Riverina MP Michael McCormack has reacted to the recent furore over parliamentarian expenses by calling for change.
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Politicians travel expenses have been under scrutiny since Albury-based Farrer MP Sussan Ley resigned as health minister due to her purchase of a $795,000 Gold Coast apartment while on a taxpayer-funded trip classified as official business.
Ms Ley put the heat squarely on fellow parliamentarians from all sides of politics after the purchase was uncovered.
Mr McCormack said the Government understands the expenditure system needs to change.
“We committed to a thorough review of the parliamentarians’ expenses system in 2015, which has made a series of recommendations the Government will implement,” he said.
“The Government has proposed to introduce legislation to implement 36 recommendations in the first six months of 2017.
“Hopefully this will help ensure the Australian people can have confidence their elected representatives value the taxes Australians pay.”
An independent authority will now be set up to oversee expense claims by all federal politicians.
Parliamentarians will now be required to lodge monthly rather than six-monthly reports.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the ABC the independent authority will monitor and adjudicate all claims by MPs, senators and ministers, ensuring that taxpayers' funds are spent appropriately and in compliance with the rules.
“Transparency is the key,” Mr Turnbull said.
Local politics lecturer Troy Whitford said charging the public purse for private business “treated voters with contempt”.
“It might not be illegal, it might not even be against regulations, but common sense says you shouldn't be using taxpayers funds for personal travel and enjoyment,” he said.
“If we start lowering the bar – saying we all cheat here and there – it's a slippery slope to corruption.”
Hopefully implementing legislation will help ensure the Australian people can have confidence their elected representatives value the taxes Australians pay.
- Riverina MP Michael McCormack