This decision has been taken by the independent Remuneration Tribunal. The principle behind the new legislation was to be more transparent about MP’s pay by abolishing many of the benefits and allowances which the community had complained about.
The Liberal Party supported the principle of MP’s pay being determined by an independent Tribunal and therefore supported the legislation through the Parliament.
This salary adjustment determined by the independent Tribunal is to compensate for the removal of:
• MPs gold pass which allows unlimited free gold class train travel anywhere in Australia
• MPs entitlement to free public transport
• MPs annual travel allowance of $13,500 which includes payment for any overseas trips
• MPs payment for sitting on committees which varies between $15,000-$18,000 p.a
In addition expense allowances for Ministers and other office holders were also abolished.
This is the first salary adjustment for MPs in 2 ½ years (1 July 2013).
