Crackdown on MP entitlements

The federal government has delivered on its budget plan to slash MP and senator entitlements.

Retired federal MPs will lose $5 million in perks over the next four years under laws soon to go to parliament.

Despite a number of senior coalition MPs raising concerns about the budget savings measure, a party room meeting approved laws to implement the changes on Tuesday.

Former MPs or senators who retired on or before May 13, 2011, and former ministers or leaders who retired before May 13, 2008, won't be entitled to any taxpayer-funded travel.

Those who retired after this date will get five return trips a year for only three years after their retirement.

Former ministers and leaders who retired after May 13, 2008, will get 10 return trips a year for six years.

Spouse travel except for those of retired former prime ministers will be axed.

A former prime minister will be entitled to 30 return trips a year for life and 20 for his or her spouse.

All retirement travel will have to meet a public benefit test and can't have a commercial or private purpose.

Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson said the public expected value for money, openness and transparency out of the entitlements system.

Current MPs and senators will be penalised 25 per cent for wrongly made travel claims.


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