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Parliamentarians' Expenditure on Entitlements Paid by the Department of Finance and Deregulation - Period 1 January to 30 June 2012

Contents

• Parliamentarians’ Certification Details
• Explanatory Notes
• Notes on Columns in Summary Document
• Notes on Columns in Summary Document [ – 47KB]
• Payment of Parliamentary Entitlements

Parliamentarians’ Certification Details

• January to June 2012

Explanatory Notes

Process of Compilation

In accordance with past practice, the Department of Finance and Deregulation (Finance) prepared the draft reports using data captured in their business systems used to process Parliamentarians’ entitlements. The draft reports were then provided to each Senator and Member in order for them to confirm their transactional information or notify Finance of any amendments required. If an amendment was advised to Finance by a Senator or Member, it was checked against the source data (such as invoices and records of payment held by Finance). Following a reconciliation of the data, an amendment (if appropriate) was made to the draft report and Finance’s records adjusted. If required, copies of amendments were provided to each Senator and Member.

Finally, each Senator and Member was provided with a copy of their report.
Based on the process outlined above, the information contained in the report is considered to be an accurate statement of payments made, and receipts received, by Finance, for the period 1 January to 30 June 2012, in respect of the expenses of Senators and Members, based on the information available to Finance.

Notes on the information

The report relates to payments made, and receipts received, by Finance for the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 for entitlements of Parliamentarians. For example, in regards to travel entitlements, this is not necessarily for travel actually undertaken during the period. This is due to the fact that travel accounts (payments and receipts) are sometimes processed in a reporting period other than when the travel takes place. The reasons may include advance bookings made and paid for in one period and used in a subsequent reporting period and re-crediting of costs in a later period for a cancelled booking in an earlier period. Other entitlements may have similar accounting and processing issues.

Goods and services purchased by Finance on behalf of Senators and Members are reported exclusive of recoverable Goods and Services Tax (GST). This is in accordance with the requirement that all agencies report all expenditure as exclusive of recoverable GST.

The report comprises:

• aggregate information on entitlements (including domestic travel, car costs, overseas travel, Travelling Allowance, office facilities costs, office administrative costs and family travel) for all Senators and Members; and
• summary information particular to each Senator and Member on costs incurred by, and any repayments to, Finance on entitlements for two separate reporting periods:
• expenditure paid between 1 January to 30 June 2012, relating to the entitlement period on or after 1 January 2012; and
• expenditure paid between 1 January to 30 June 2012, relating to the entitlement period prior to 1 January 2012.

Notes on Columns in Summary Document

1. TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE

   These are payments to Parliamentarians within the current reporting period.

2. OVERSEAS TRAVEL

   These are payments within the current reporting period for travel undertaken on the following overseas trips:

   Ministerial Visit; Official Visit; Representing Australia; Representing a Minister; Parliamentary Delegations; and Overseas Study Entitlement.

   Costs include fares, transport, accommodation, meals, official hospitality, travel and expense advances, passport, equipment, medical, other related overseas travel costs. This may include costs incurred for employees.

3. DOMESTIC SCHEDULED FARES

   These are payments for domestic scheduled services within the current reporting period

   This total includes any refunds received during the period but does not necessarily cover the cost of all flights taken in the period. Travel may have been undertaken before the beginning of the period, or booked for travel in a subsequent period, but the account paid during the period. Alternately, travel may have been undertaken during the period but the account will be paid for in a subsequent period.

4. CHARTER

   These are payments for charter travel under the following categories, within the current reporting period.

   Ministerial, Office Holder, Presiding Officer, Leader of a Minority Party and Representing the Minister: for official business;

   Within Electorate: available to Members representing large electorates and all Senators (except those representing the Australian Capital Territory) in and for the service of their State or Territory; and

   Special Minister Approved: provision available for the Special Minister of State (SMOS) to approve charter travel in special cases.

5. CAR COSTS¹

   These costs include the following:

   Private-Plated Vehicle²: these are payments for the hire, insurance, maintenance costs and fuel costs of Commonwealth-leased private-plated vehicles used in the Electorate and in Canberra within the current reporting period;

   Private Vehicle Allowance: these are payments to Senators and Members for the use of their private vehicles for travel between Canberra and their home base on parliamentary business within the current reporting period;

   COMCAR: this is the cost of COMCAR trips billed for each Senator and Member within the current reporting period. The figures exclude costs associated with the Parliament House shuttle service;

   Cabcharge: these are payments for Cabcharge use within the current reporting period;

   Hire Cars: these are payments for short-term self-drive hire cars booked through the contracted travel services provider within the current reporting period; and

   Parking: these are payments for parking fees within the current reporting period.

6. OFFICE FACILITIES³

   These are payments for property operating costs for offices such as lease, power, cleaning, security, repairs and maintenance of both the property and its fixtures and for the purchase, service and repairs and maintenance for telecommunications within the current reporting period.

7. OFFICE FIT OUTS⁴

   These are payments for office establishments, refurbishments and relocations within the current reporting period.

8. OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

   These are payments for office consumables and services, publications and printing and communications within the current reporting period.

9. TELECOMMUNICATIONS

   These are payments for telecommunication usage costs (fixed and mobile) within the current reporting period.

10. FAMILY TRAVEL COSTS

    These are payments for domestic travel, including the use of Private Vehicle Allowance, COMCAR, Cabcharge and Hire Cars, undertaken by the Senator or Member's nominated family members.

Payment of Parliamentary Entitlements

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory

Contact for information on this page: capa@finance.gov.au

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