WA former premiers' benefits slashed

Benefits available to former premiers of Western Australia have been significantly reduced, the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal has announced.

Entitlements for former premiers have been slashed by Western Australia's Salaries and Allowances Tribunal.

They will now only be able to claim the costs of administrative assistance immediately following their parliamentary careers to a maximum value of $25,000 and support to attend official functions in their capacity as a former premier.

Previously, former premiers were offered an office, staff and a government vehicle with a driver for a period of time after they left parliament.

They also were able to claim specified expenses, such as phone calls and travel in certain circumstances.

The tribunal noted recent premiers had often not claimed these benefits.

Post-parliamentary benefits for all former members has also ceased.

Until now, former MPs who qualified for benefits before 1999 were able to collect them.

"Eligible former members have had access to these benefits for an average of around 25 years, including almost 18 years since the decision to end post-parliamentary benefits for new members," the tribunal said.

"While the cost of providing benefits to former members has been relatively low, such arrangements are now out of step with community expectations."


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Source: AAP



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