Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

In 2000 the Remuneration Tribunal issued determination 2000/11. This determination provided for a number of measures to assist members representing electorates of 300,000 kilometres or more and the peculiar difficulties that they face. In particular, it provided for an entitlements aggregation trial designed to provide members with greater flexibility in establishing and maintaining contact with constituents. This trial involved allowing members representing the five largest electorates to aggregate their communications and charter allowances.

It should be noted that this was a decision of the Remuneration Tribunal itself. It had not been recommended by the government—so much for all the conspiracy theories that we heard earlier in this debate. The tribunal’s decision was based on the submissions of the MPs from the big electorates, discussions with those MPs and even travel out to the big electorates by tribunal members. They took their task very seriously.

The tribunal’s 2002 annual review statement of parliamentary allowances for expenses of office confirmed that the trial would continue as information on the results of the trial had been somewhat limited. Last year the then Special Minister of State consulted with those MPs on the trial to assess their views on its merits and a possible extension. All were of the view that the trial had been very useful and that the flexibility gained by the aggregation clause allowed for more flexibility in servicing the needs of their constituents. Some preferred to use the aggregated amount for increased levels of direct mail. Others, such as the member for Maranoa, Mr Bruce Scott, preferred to make much greater use of charter than would normally have been possible so as to get out and about and meet people. Irrespective of their preference, all agreed that the aggregation clause was very useful.