The Auditor-General has released a report following a review of the Members of the NSW Parliament (Members) additional entitlement claims, recommending a tightening of specific wording around travel allowance entitlements.
The Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford said Members claimed $21.5 million of additional entitlements in 2018–19, 2.7 per cent less than the previous year.
“The decrease is largely attributable to the period in the lead up to the New South Wales State Election, from 26 January to 23 March 2019, during which Members are not permitted to use their Communications Allowance,” Ms Crawford said.
“In addition, Parliament did not sit from 23 November 2018 until 6 May 2019,” she said.
Ms Crawford said the review found one instance of material non‑compliance with the Determination, related to a Member who claimed the General Travel Allowance but did not provide evidence that the travel related to their parliamentary duties.
“Fourteen other departures from the administrative requirements of the Determination, mostly relating to the timing of Members’ claims were identified,” she said.
“The review also found two instances where it was unclear whether reimbursement of Members’ claims had been made strictly in accordance with the Determination.”
The Auditor-General made three recommendations to the Department of Parliamentary Services to work with the Tribunal to clarify specific wording and requirements in the Determination as it related to the Electorate to Sydney Travel Allowance.
Ms Crawford also recommended that the Department work with the Tribunal to clarify whether Members could claim the cost of travel from their travel allowance when the travel was used to produce communications during the blackout period.
The 14-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
