The extravagance of our politicians

Quoting Radio National, Grace Collier reported in The Weekend Australian that the cost of our politicians’ expense entitlements is over $2 million per MP per year.

At present, this includes travel to any event where they might meet their fellow citizens. Specifically, it includes the Melbourne Cup, AFL and Rugby football finals, and the Australian Open.

Better control over this extravagance is essential. I like her solution.

“Official business should be defined this way: if the Australian Taxation Office wouldn’t allow a non-politician to claim it as a work-related deduction, then it isn’t official business for a politician and cannot be paid for by the public. This ‘one rule for all’ is simple to interpret, logical and fair.”