There may be an upside to the COVID-19 pandemic – at least for taxpayers.
The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority says it administered parliamentary travel expenses of $42.7 million in 2019/20, down from $59.8 million the previous year.
The authority attributes the change to MPs travelling less during the pandemic.
The figure was revealed in an auditor-general report into the authority’s handling of parliamentary expenses.
Reforms to the parliamentary entitlements system were enacted in 2017/18 – in the wake of the Bronwyn Bishop “choppergate” scandal – and designed to increase clarity for MPs, and transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
The audit found the authority’s work had been “largely effective”, especially in…
Read the full article at: https://thewest.com.au/politics/downturn-in-pollie-expenses-during-covid-c-2504007
