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

I reject the assertions made there. What we are indeed backing is an independent process that has been in place for many years for the Remuneration Tribunal to make independent assessments at arm's length from politicians. I am not, as finance minister, and Mr Morton is not, as Special Minister of State, responsible for setting the rates, terms or arrangements for travel allowances. It is, of course, a fact that every one of us here aside from Senator Gallagher, Senator Seselja and perhaps Senator Molan travel here away from our homes and do incur costs of some form or other in relation to the accommodation while we are here. As I said, it's been a longstanding practice the Remuneration Tribunal has applied in terms of the flexibility of that, but that is also reflected in the different rates as they are calculated, and that's why the independent approach is the appropriate approach.