Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I simply make the observation that, as I indicated in the primary answer, the rate that is applied for overnight stays in Canberra is assessed in a slightly different way by the Remuneration Tribunal compared with the rate for commercial accommodation provision in other capital cities of Australia. In terms of the cost effectiveness for the government's finances, it would concern me were we in a situation that changes were made that potentially increased the cost by increasing the nightly rate that was paid. Again I back the independent processes there that seek to find the right approach to respect taxpayers' dollars, to minimise costs where possible and to ensure that, indeed, recompense is made to enable members and senators to make their own arrangements for overnight accommodation as is necessary in Canberra.