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 authoritys 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 authoritys work had been largely effective, especially in providing …
Read the full article at: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2021/04/03/pandemic-reduces-the-cost-of-federal-parliamentary-expenses/
