Greater transparency on MPs' pay welcomed

The Green Party supports the clear separation between MPs' pay and support services that has been recommended by the Standing Orders committee, Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald said today.

The recommendation was included in the committee's report today on the Remuneration Authority (Members of Parliament) Amendment Bill.

"There needs to be a clear separation between an MP's pay and the support services provided to MPs so they can do their job.

"The Remuneration Authority should be responsible for determining salaries, superannuation and the basic expense allowance. Quite separately, the Parliamentary Services Commission (or Ministerial Services in the case of ministers) should be responsible for determining the rules for the use of support services such as travel, phones, offices and staff; and the reimbursement of work-related expenses such as accommodation and meals," Mr Donald said.

"The bill, as amended, achieves this separation and will deliver the transparency the Auditor-General was looking for in his original report.

"The onus is now on the Parliamentary Services Commission to develop clear rules for use of these services and reimbursement of proved expenses," Mr Donald said.

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