Wilkie moves to put an to end pollie ‘rorts’

FEDERAL politicians would be forced to have all travel claims from 2013 audited annually under laws proposed by Denison MP Andrew Wilkie.

A private bill, introduced to parliament by Andrew Wilkie yesterday, would also require every MP and senator to list all substantive activities – workrelated and private – while on official travel, with any misuse of expenses referred to police.

“This would mean that politicians can no longer trip around the country principally for private purposes and dress it up as official travel,” he said.

Mr Wilkie listed examples, including former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s $5000 helicopter ride from Melbourne to Geelong.

“No wonder there’s a broad view ... that many members and senators have their snouts in the trough of profiting from the taxpayer on account of their job,” he told parliament. “We have a problem.” He said recent reforms, including the axing of the lifetime gold pass and establishment of an independent expenses authority, did not go far enough and he remained sceptical the changes would be fully implemented. – AAP