Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I anticipate that Senator Brown may also wish to make a short statement as well. In respect of this motion, the Remuneration Tribunal made a determination in 2009/11 Members of parliament travelling allowance on 6 August 2009. On that same day, the tribunal also made determination 2009/10 Official travel by office holders. The determination sets the rates of travelling allowance for parliamentarians and public office holders respectively. The determination establishes rates applicable for travel to individual towns and cities. The rates in each determination for each travel tier and common location are the same. The reason I mention that is to give context in relation to the motion before the Senate which suggests that the tribunal has not advanced any financial or economic justification for the proposed increase in travelling allowance. This is not correct.

I refer the Senate to the tribunal’s statement of 19 August 2009, which is available from the tribunal’s website. It sets out details of how the decision in relation to the determination was made. I think it would be helpful for the Senate if I table that statement. In light of the publicly available statement, the government will not be supporting the motion. In fact, it appears unnecessary in that regard.