MPs face trips dip

Partners will have to pay

STATE MPs will be banned from using taxpayer money for their partners’ international travel from July 1.

Dozens of MPs are set to take off on overseas jaunts during the winter break, and at least one plans to use the spousal allowance for his wife one final time.

State Parliament’s presiding officers will next month stop approving claims for any international travel by the partners of MPs, who had been able to spend $3000 a year through an MP’s “travel and accommodation budget”.

The sudden halt comes after it was revealed former Speaker Telmo Languiller took his girlfriend on four overseas jaunts that cost taxpayers more than $15,000.

Other MPs who yesterday went to the Department of Parliamentary Services for advice were told their partners were still free to use the spousal allowance.

But Government spokesman Chris Piper last night said new regulations to abolish the allowance would come into force in the coming weeks and no claims would be approved from July 1.

Changes to the controversial “second-residence” allowance and the banning of rolling-over travel allowances to the next financial year will also take effect in the coming weeks.

At least eight Labor MPs and 15 Opposition MPs are going on overseas trips over the parliamentary break, but it is understood none are taking their partners.

A Government media release on April 24 this year said “several immediate changes will be made” including the scrapping of the spousal travel allowance.

Opposition spokesman Tim Smith said that the Government was “all back swing but no follow through”.