Report snapshot: Members’ additional entitlements 2025

Members’ entitlements refer to the payments that Members of Parliament (members) are eligible to claim under the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal’s Annual Determination (the Determination) and the administrative guidelines of the Department of Parliamentary Services (the guidelines). These entitlements are designed to support members in performing their parliamentary duties and can include travel, communication and skills development.

This report reviews compliance in the 2024–25 financial year.

Key findings

There were 35,151 payments made to members for entitlements – totalling $26.4 million.

Of these, 33,450 claims for payment – totalling $13.8 million – were in the scope of this compliance review. The remaining payments of $12.6 million (annual basic salaries, and electoral and committee allowances) were not within scope of this review.

From a sample of 59 claims for the 2024–25 period, there were 29 departures from the requirements of the Determination and the administrative guidelines.

Loyalty and incentive scheme declarations (such as frequent flyer points) must be submitted at the end of financial year (ie 30 June) or within 30 days of ceasing to be a member. This review looked at 141 loyalty and incentive scheme declarations and found that 3 were submitted late.

Recommendations

The Department of Parliamentary Services should:

• evaluate the effectiveness of its training for members and consider other measures to improve the timelines of claim submissions
• consider conducting its annual internal audit process earlier in the year to identify audit findings sooner to better support members in meeting the requirements of the Determination and the guidelines.

Further information

Please contact Renee O'Kane, Chief of Staff, on 9275 7347 or by email.