Published Thursday, 08 February, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER INTRODUCES BILL TO FORCE FORMER MP’S TO REPAY PARLIAMENTARY ALLOWANCES
Premier Peter Beattie has overnight introduced a bill to Parliament to ensure that allowances advanced to former members prior to the election are repaid.
The Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2007 was introduced overnight in accordance with the commitment the Premier made during the State Election in August.
“Allowances are only paid to MPs for the time they serve,” Mr Beattie said.
“This new bill will ensure that there can be no room for confusion in the future.
“On August 21 last year I wrote to all members of Parliament advising them that any member who retired or lost on September 9 would have to repay a portion of the allowance they had received on July 1 2006.
“In that letter I also told members that I would introduce legislation to ensure the repayments were made.
“To their credit the vast majority of retiring parliamentarians and those who lost their seats on September 9 moved quickly to do the right thing and repay the relevant portion of the allowance.
“However, nearly five months on I understand four former members have failed to repay the amount owing.
“Two other members have not paid the full amount but have made arrangements to do so.
“In addition to the letter I sent in August, the Clerk of the Parliament wrote to former Members in December seeking confirmation of their preferred payment options.
“All members have until June 30 this year to repay the allowance, this will now be a legislated requirement.
“The people of Queensland expect no less,” the Premier said.
The issue over allowance payments arose because the timing of the 2006 election which did not allow for a quarterly payment as was the case in the 2001 and 2004 elections. As a result the payment was made for the usual six monthly term in on July 1st 2006.
Thursday February 8, 2007.
Media information: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
The Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2007 was introduced overnight in accordance with the commitment the Premier made during the State Election in August.
“Allowances are only paid to MPs for the time they serve,” Mr Beattie said.
“This new bill will ensure that there can be no room for confusion in the future.
“On August 21 last year I wrote to all members of Parliament advising them that any member who retired or lost on September 9 would have to repay a portion of the allowance they had received on July 1 2006.
“In that letter I also told members that I would introduce legislation to ensure the repayments were made.
“To their credit the vast majority of retiring parliamentarians and those who lost their seats on September 9 moved quickly to do the right thing and repay the relevant portion of the allowance.
“However, nearly five months on I understand four former members have failed to repay the amount owing.
“Two other members have not paid the full amount but have made arrangements to do so.
“In addition to the letter I sent in August, the Clerk of the Parliament wrote to former Members in December seeking confirmation of their preferred payment options.
“All members have until June 30 this year to repay the allowance, this will now be a legislated requirement.
“The people of Queensland expect no less,” the Premier said.
The issue over allowance payments arose because the timing of the 2006 election which did not allow for a quarterly payment as was the case in the 2001 and 2004 elections. As a result the payment was made for the usual six monthly term in on July 1st 2006.
Thursday February 8, 2007.
Media information: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500