[Greens-Media] Media release: Auditor General shines light on MPs with sticky pockets

[John Kaye]

Auditor General shines light on MPs with sticky pockets

Media release: 1 July 2014

An Auditor-General's examination of NSW MPs' entitlements has found that ten politicians held onto overpayments of the Sydney Allowance beyond the due date to return the funds, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

(''Focusing on Parliamentarian Entitlements", New South Wales Auditor-General's Report: Financial Audit, Volume Three 2014, http://bit.ly/1rRNXl3)

Dr Kaye said: "While the total amount is small compared to the state budget, it remains alarming that MPs can play fast and loose with public funds when the money ends up in their own pockets.

"More than a third of state politicians entitled to the allowance failed to pay back the overdue amounts by the set date.

"It should be possible to trust lawmakers with a system of annual upfront payments and returns of unspent amounts.

"Unfortunately in NSW too many MPs have sticky pockets. They have become too attached to the money.

"From July 2014, the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal has changed the upfront payments to a six monthly cycle, while the Auditor-General today recommended the whole system be scrapped in favour of reimbursements for actual expenses.

"The generous Sydney Allowance is intended to cover the expenses for MPs for whom a same-day trip home from parliament would be impractical.

"The base pay of MPs is big enough to cover the costs until claims for reimbursement have processed.

"Taxpayers should not be expected to provide interest-free loans to politicians.

"As members of the community are being forced to dig deeper into their pockets because of decisions made by state MPs, it is completely inappropriate that MPs continue to exploit the generous terms and conditions of the Sydney Allowance.

"Even the half-yearly reconciliation is inadequate.

"The Parliament should follow the Auditor-General's recommendation and end the system of upfront payments," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455