Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Labor supports the implementation of the panel's recommendations unaltered and unhindered. On that basis, the opposition opposes the amendment and supports the timely passage of the legislation in its current form.

Parliamentarians of every political persuasion have acknowledged that the complicated and often disjoined system of work expenses can generate genuine error by parliamentarians seeking to utilise work expenses in the course of their duties. The suite of bills proposed to reform entitlements seeks to ensure the system for claims, advice, monitoring and auditing is clear and concise. The intent of these reforms is to remove the incidence of incorrect claims altogether, following the implementation of the Independent Review of Parliamentary Expenses, led by John Conde and David Tune. We have been awaiting the government's response to that review for over a year. It was undertaken by a group of respected and eminent Australians with experience and knowledge in this area. That is why Labor will be supporting the implementation of those recommendations, unaltered and unhindered.

Importantly, for those who might seek amendment, the provisions in this bill allow for review every three years, which is, in the opposition's view, the opportune moment to reconsider changes and improvements. So, again, Labor supports the bill in its current form.

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