Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before Senator Ludwig leaves the chamber, does Senator Ludwig have a response to my question earlier today about additional travel entitlements for staff of senators, noting that ministers have plenty of staff down here next week while backbench senators only get staff commensurate with the sitting week schedule by parliament? This is an additional week next week. I am wondering whether Senator Ludwig can answer my question on whether additional funds will be made available to backbench senators for bringing staff down next week.

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

I thank Senator Macdonald for the question. The Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Corporate and Parliamentary Services calculate the electorate staff travel budget for senators and members at the beginning of each financial year. The calculation of the electorate staff travel budget is based on a standard formula in line with Remuneration Determination 2008/5, most recently issued on 12 December 2008. The total number of sitting days scheduled for 2009-10 is 67 days whereas the electorate staff travel budget includes a component for 110 nights of travelling allowance in Canberra. In addition, there are 18 weeks of sittings scheduled while the electorate staff travel budget is calculated on the basis of 20 return fares to Canberra. On that basis, it is understood that there should be sufficient funds available in the electorate staff travel budget to absorb the proposed additional sitting days. I also encourage all senators to consider how they can use frequent flyer points more broadly for themselves and that they look at how they can manage within their budget by using fare savers—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Like ministers’ staff do?

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

You did want to hear the answer to your question, I take it, or are you just making a point, I wonder. Senators can also use other airlines and all senators and members are encouraged to undertake this option.