25 October 2007

Speaker’s Directions gazetted

Directions and Specifications for Services and Funding Entitlements for the House of Representatives, its Members and Former Members have been gazetted. They come into effect on 1 December 2007.

The Speaker’s Directions draw together Members’ entitlements to funding and services that have been developed over many years by previous Speakers and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

The Directions largely confirm the status quo for funding and services. They also outline how the Parliamentary Service must administer the entitlements to Members.

‘Work to bring the entitlements and administration together in one place began following the Controller and Auditor-General’s report into expenditure by members and parties on advertising prior to the 2005 election,” the Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, said today.

‘Members of the PSC and representatives of all parties have been involved in the process.

‘The Auditor-General has been consulted and met with the PSC. He is of the view that the production of a single and comprehensive set of rules covering both entitlements and administrative process is likely to be helpful to Members and staff.

‘Staff in out-of-parliament offices and Parliamentary Service staff have had the opportunity for training to ensure the entitlements to funding and services are understood and administered correctly.’

Ms Wilson said the Directions replace the Members’ Handbook which will be withdrawn.

‘Improved processes and services for Members from Parliamentary Service will ensure a high level of transparency, accountability and clarity around the expenditure of public money.’

The Directions can be accessed on the Parliamentary website:

www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/Admin/Speaker/CorpDocs/

ENDS

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