Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has been asked to justify her own parliamentary expenses this morning, amid increased scrutiny on parliamentarians regarding their use of family travel entitlements.
Asked on Nine’s Today show about her own travel expenses in the period from 2019 to now racking up to a total of $30,000, McKenzie said, “I think it’s important for all MPs to not abuse the system, right? The fact is, for my own sporting events that I go to, you know… these are work events, whether I’m going to a shipping conference, the trucking round table, logistics, supply chain conferences, they’re not as exciting as going to some of these sporting events.
Loading
“It’s because I am shadow minister for infrastructure, and we look after things like stadiums and the like… so I attend in those sort of capacities, so it’s in my role which is a great privilege.”
McKenzie was also pressed on whether the parliamentary entitlements system should be reviewed or overhauled.
“The main thing is, I think that it’s transparent, and so everything is declared and on the public record. And if you really hate that your local MP did that, you can vote them out at the next election.
“I note the PM said, you know, with respect to Anika Wells, he doesn’t write the rules. Well, the Prime Minister does write the rules. So if he thinks they need changing, then he should write to the independent authority and have a look,” she said.
Read the full article here
