The McGowan Government has welcomed today’s release of a report by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal (SAT) into Members of Parliaments’ entitlements.
In 2018, the SAT commenced a review of allowances and entitlements of Members of Parliament, following concerns from Premier Mark McGowan that some aspects were not operating effectively.
This review was further broadened after the Corruption and Crime Commission uncovered serious abuse of entitlements by former Liberal MP Phil Edman.
The SAT has proposed numerous measures to improve accountability, including new principles by which Members must abide, and a system to report Members’ use of allowances.
The McGowan Government accepts the review’s findings, and the changes will come into effect following the next State election in March 2021.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“We welcome today’s report by the SAT and the accountability measures proposed.
“My Government acknowledged back in 2018 that the Parliamentary travel allowance was not operating effectively, which paved the way for the SAT to commence its review into allowances and entitlements of Members of Parliament.
“The review was expanded following the damning findings against Mr Edman.
“Clearly stricter accountability measures need to be in place to prevent a repeat of the gross breaches by Mr Edman.
“We accept the SAT’s recommendations and look forward to implementing these changes to improve transparency and accountability, and to help regain the trust of the people of WA, following the Phil Edman scandal.”
