Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Federal Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Act (2016)

By Jonathan J. Ariel - posted Friday, 7 August 2015


Best of all, IPSA publishes claims, so that taxpayers can see how their money is spent in support of any particular MPs' parliamentary functions.

Tony Abbott, with great fortitude can make a silk purse out of this fiasco.

On 3 August the Australian reported that former Finance Department head David Tune and Remuneration Tribunal boss John Conde will undertake a fundamental review of MP travel entitlements.

Advertisement

This is insufficient.

The Tune/Conde Committee's remit must be much wider.

The snout dipping by politicians extends way beyond mere travel rorts.

While the PM has been egged on by Andrew Wilkie, Nick Xenophon and many members of the public, as well as some in his own party who sense the fetid smell of political annihilation in the air if Abbott shies from reform, Abbott intriguingly has all the cards.

By draining the bottomless trough of entitlements, reimbursements and allowances which Australian politicians have feasted upon for too long, Abbott will be able to present his party's reform to the electorate as one of establishing an independent office of parliamentary standards which will extinguish the rorts once and for all,as well as name and shame those who hitherto failed to live up to the public's expectations.

Who knows? Playing his cards smartly may see FIPSA even helping him win the next election.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

1 post so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Jonathan J. Ariel is an economist and financial analyst. He holds a MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. He can be contacted at jonathan@chinamail.com.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Jonathan J. Ariel

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Jonathan J. Ariel
Article Tools
Comment 1 comment
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy