How is it possible for politicians to just simply be paid whatever they claim?

How can there not be an authority that approves or denies expense claims??

When I was a public servant with a heavy fieldwork component, I was forever claiming expenses. But they all had to be approved.

Travel claims have been contentious for decades. So…. how on earth can there not be an authority that approve or denies expense claims??

Well….. it is certainly worth asking twice.

In fact…. What I’d really like to know is….

How can there not be an authority that approves or denies expense claims?? ( :>/

Ludwig - Quote "Travel claims have been contentious for decades. So…. how on earth can there not be an authority that approve or denies expense claims??"

In theory a good thing to have but 1 big problem is the checkers would be the employees of the people they are checking the expenses of.

If they reject some they may loose there job.

Just like the group who calculate the salary for the politicians, we have a prime minister who earns more than the American president.

Ain't 20X20 hindsight a wonderful thing!
Rhrosty.

That is not true, Philip S.

"...we have a prime minister who earns more than the American president."

What we have is a Prime Minister who is paid more than the US President.

Perhaps we should look at all expenses of all state and federal parliamentarians during the last ten years. Strike a median average for ministers and backbenchers; State and Federal! Then half it and tell them, this is your tax free entitlement.
Spend it how you will, booze or groceries or a round of meat pies for the local footy club, if you wish.
Just don't come back asking for more!
Learn how to use the internet and video conference, it'll save time, money and the size of your personal carbon footprint!
Isn't Parliament connected with fibre cable to virtually the rest of the world; and wouldn't video conferencing provide less security headaches for the expensive army of minders, who are nearly always present on these flamin junkets?
Learn how to make far better use of public transport!
That'll not only save big Beckiz, but likely see us very soon having the very best public transport systems in the world.
And if your frugality allows you to save 20-30,000 PA, just put it in the pocket or contribute to your favorite charities, it's your money either way!
Rhrosty.

Thin article. More about the author's greatness.