Minister rejects perks reform
Mathias Cormann has scoffed at calls for the tightening of politicians' entitlements, saying the paperwork would be too onerous for MPs.
Senator Cormann, whose duties as Finance Minister include the oversight of MPs' perks, said yesterday it was not "practicable" to expect Federal politicians to fully detail their taxpayer-funded activities.
"I am not sure it would be practicable both in terms of managing the compliance side of it on the public service end nor desirable on the side of the Opposition," he said.
The Abbott Government is under pressure to reform the system of politicians' entitlements after a series of revelations about the misuse of taxpayer funds.
In an exclusive interview with The West Australian yesterday, Liberal MP Don Randall was unapologetic about his decision to claim more than $5000 to fly with his wife to Cairns last year where he had an investment property.
Mr Randall said he was entitled to the trip because he met with then Opposition whip Warren Entsch for a "couple of hours" in the north Queensland city.
The MP for the southern suburbs electorate of Canning also confirmed his daughter Tess, who has been employed as an executive assistant in his office, would soon leave that position.
The West Australian revealed last week that Tony Abbott told the coalition party room he was unhappy with MPs employing family members in their offices on taxpayer-funded salaries.
Other MPs have begun quietly moving family members out of their offices in the wake of the Prime Minister's thinly veiled warning.
Lara Swift, partner of WA Liberal Luke Simpkins, was employed in his electorate office as a "media and office manager". A spokeswoman for Mr Simpkins confirmed yesterday that Ms Swift had left the office.
WA Liberal Senator and Deputy Government Whip Chris Back employs his wife Linda as an electorate office and media official.
Ms Back has not responded to queries about Mr Abbott's concerns.
The couple have been in New York as part of a three-month taxpayer-funded parliamentary delegation to the United Nations.
