[Greens-Media] Clean-up time for city MPs overnight allowance

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release 
21 August 2005 

Clean-up time for city MPs overnight allowance


Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that it is time to stop MPs living in Sydney's outlying suburbs claiming hefty overnight allowances when they work in the city. 

"Premier Iemma needs to put his new broom through the Sydney Allowance that allows MPs living in outer Sydney to claim $180 a day when they are working in the city," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"This claim can be put in for 105 nights each year. Parliament this year sits for fewer than 50 days and not all those sittings involve late nights. 

"MPs living in parts of Campbelltown, St Marys and the Hills District can claim this generous allowance, which is additional to the many other travel and electoral allowances all MPs receive.

"Many Sydney workers live in Sydney's outlying suburbs and they don't get a special bonus to stay in the city over night. 

"The Greens MPs in their submission to the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal (PRT) called for the Sydney Allowance to be tightened up. 

"The PRT's review has not made this allowance more accountable. If anything it is now easier for MPs to receive the Sydney allowance on a daily basis as no receipts for proof of overnight accommodation need to be submitted," Ms Rhiannon said. 


For more information: Lee Rhiannon - 0427861568