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MP allowances rorts: Premier should tighten controls
Thursday 15 April 2010
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the Premier to tighten scrutiny of MPs allowances, following today's report by the NSW Auditor-General which found three MPs have pocketed unspent Sydney Allowances, MPs have been wrongly using the office expense allowance to promote themselves and are using frequent flyer benefits for personal use.
"The Auditor-General's report again raises alarm bells that some MPs are rorting the already overly generous scheme of allowances," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Premier Kristina Keneally should restore a scheme of greater scrutiny of MPs allowances that was relaxed in 2009 and now relies on irregular spot audits and self-assessment.
Lee Rhiannon has led a long campaign to clean up MPs pay and allowances. Visit her website
"MPs are leaders in the community and the way they use public money should be beyond reproach.
"For country MPs to pocket fat from the very generous Sydney Allowance and not return it shows a disturbing lack of regard for public money.
"The Premier must immediately move to introduce sanctions for MPs who fail to return an unspent Sydney Allowance as required.
"Millions of dollars in taxpayers money is used to support MPs do their work.
"The fact some NSW politicians are abusing these entitlements paid out of the public purse in order to gain electoral advantage must be galling for voters.
"This report shows there has been a rise in the money spent by lower house MPs to send out glossy newsletters promoting themselves to the electorate. This is a sure sign the major parties are gearing up for the 2011 election.
"MPs already receive pay rises well above the rest of the population. They are allowed to keep unspent allowances and some leave office with an arm breaking golden handshake.
"In late 2008 the former Rees government weakened scrutiny of MPs' allowances. A system of regular close inspection of all MPs allowances was replaced by a 'risk assessment' system. This involves spot auditing of a quarter of MPs each year," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
"MPs are leaders in the community and the way they use public money should be beyond reproach.
"For country MPs to pocket fat from the very generous Sydney Allowance and not return it shows a disturbing lack of regard for public money.
"The Premier must immediately move to introduce sanctions for MPs who fail to return an unspent Sydney Allowance as required.
"Millions of dollars in taxpayers money is used to support MPs do their work.
"The fact some NSW politicians are abusing these entitlements paid out of the public purse in order to gain electoral advantage must be galling for voters.
"This report shows there has been a rise in the money spent by lower house MPs to send out glossy newsletters promoting themselves to the electorate. This is a sure sign the major parties are gearing up for the 2011 election.
"MPs already receive pay rises well above the rest of the population. They are allowed to keep unspent allowances and some leave office with an arm breaking golden handshake.
"In late 2008 the former Rees government weakened scrutiny of MPs' allowances. A system of regular close inspection of all MPs allowances was replaced by a 'risk assessment' system. This involves spot auditing of a quarter of MPs each year," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
