Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you.

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Perhaps the members of the government need to be paying attention to motions a little more.

Government senators interjecting—

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, we haven't had this motion. I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) senators are paid an annual allowance of $32,000, known as an electorate allowance, and

  (ii) the purpose of this allowance is to cover expenses incurred by a senator in discharging their electoral responsibilities; and

(b) calls on all senators to commit to spending their electorate allowance on their electorate and their electorate responsibilities, rather than using it to top up their already generous salary.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators from all sides of politics spend their electorate allowances on a number of different areas in the course of their electorate duties, including supporting many worthwhile local community groups and causes. The electorate allowance is determined by the independent Remuneration Tribunal. It is up to each senator to acquit their expenditure with the Australian Taxation Office, consistent with their ruling on such matters, and the government believes that each senator should abide by these requirements.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would be staggered if any—

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator, what are you doing?

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry. I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave not granted.

Government senators interjecting—

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Senator Di Natale interjecting—

Thank you, Senator Di Natale. I am going to put the motion. Leave was not granted. I just remind senators to be quiet, because Senator Di Natale did not hear the information that I gave him.

The question is that notice of motion No. 226 under general business, standing in the name of Senator Di Natale, be agreed to. I just remind senators that, when the call is given to lock the doors, you should be in your seats.