Tribunal increases MPs allowances, fails to tighten rules

"At a time when the reputation of the NSW Parliament has been tarnished by the actions of a few MPs it is disappointing that the Tribunal has failed to recommend tighter controls on how NSW politicians manage their allowances," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Tribunal which works under the Premier’s office, has allowed the Electoral Allowance to continue as a back-door pay rise, as MPs can keep it as salary if they do not spend it.

"The Tribunal has failed to recommend tighter rules to stop MPs behaving badly.

"This year’s report from the Tribunal has again been released late on a Friday. It is widely understood that news that breaks at this time will receive minimal coverage.

"It is disappointing that the Tribunal or the Premier’s office, whoever manages the publicly release of the report, continues to use these tactics.

"A worrying recommendation is that the Tribunal has proposed the introduction of corporate credit cards for MPs. With minimal checks in place on how MPs use their allowance this could open up NSW to British type scandals involving MPs spending money on personal items.

"The Greens submission to the Tribunal called for MPs to publicly disclose how they spend their Electoral Allowance and for any money not spent on work related matters to be returned to the public purse. It was disappointing that this reasonable suggestion was ignored.

"The Tribunal recommended increases of three per cent in most of the allowances MPs can access," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568