Report highlights: Members' additional entitlements 2021
What the report is about
The Auditor-General's review analyses claims made by members of the NSW Parliament during the 2020–21 financial year by testing a sample of transactions. Our sample consisted of 67 claims submitted by 52 of the 137 members.
What we found
While we did not identify any instances of material non-compliance with the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal's Determination, we did identify 31 departures from the Determination, which were of an administrative nature.
What we recommended
The Department of Parliamentary Services (the department) should continue to work with the Presiding Officers, members, the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to enhance reporting of members' expenditure.
In 2020, we recommended the department work with the Tribunal to provide additional guidance to members to clarify:
- the definition of 'parliamentary duties'
- the activities that meet the definition
- requirements for retaining documents.
The department will work with the Tribunal to clarify these items as part of its submission to the 2022 annual Determination.
Fast facts
- 12 claims were submitted after 60 days
- 7 Sydney allowance reconciliations were submitted late
- 10 annual loyalty scheme declarations were submitted late
- 2 publications had not made the required authorisations and attributions
- $22.5m of additional entitlements were claimed in the 2020–21 financial year. This was 4.2% higher than in the 2019–20 financial year.
Further information
Please contact Ian Goodwin, Deputy Auditor-General on 9275 7347 or by email.