A Nationals frontbencher has conceded his party's plans to bill taxpayers for federal politicians to travel to Melbourne for centenary celebrations might fail the pub test.
Key points:
The Nationals will hold 100th birthday celebrations in Melbourne in March
Politicians can charge taxpayers to attend because the Nationals plan on holding a party room meeting
A Nationals frontbencher has urged his colleagues to reflect on whether it passes the pub test
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack's office told Nationals MPs and senators they could claim travel expenses to attend the gala event next month, as it would coincide with an official party room meeting.
That's despite a meeting being scheduled the week before in Canberra, during a parliamentary sitting week.
The ABC asked Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton if that passed the pub test, to which he said, "Not on the surface".
The Prime Minister's office referred the ABC to Mr McCormack's office when approached for a comment on the Nationals' travel plans.
A spokesperson for Mr McCormack said Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) advice said politicians could claim travel expenses if the dominant purpose of the visit was to conduct parliamentary business.
"But as always, this is a matter for MPs and senators to determine," the spokesperson said.
Queensland LNP MP Trevor Evans, who sits with the Liberals when in Canberra, said it was a matter for Nationals to reflect on.
"I think it is incumbent on people in that party to reflect on whether it does pass the pub test," Mr Evans said.
"And if they reflect on it and decide that it doesn't [then] there is time to ensure that's fixed and changed."
Mr McCormack's spokesperson said no decision had been made on whether the Melbourne meeting would go ahead.
Mr Coulton said it was reasonable for politicians to visit parts of the country beyond their electorates provided it was within the rules.
"Party members have been travelling to different parts of the country for meetings for a long, long time," he said.
"There is an independent body that decides that. Individuals will make up their own mind."
Queensland senator Matt Canavan, who resigned as a cabinet minister last week to back Barnaby Joyce's failed leadership bid, said debate over the event was premature.
"This has not happened. The party's getting advice, I'm sure that advice will be followed," he said.
"I think this is a bit of speculation on something that hasn't actually happened."
Nationals frontbencher Michelle Landry on Tuesday described recent weeks as "torrid" for her party amid infighting and leadership challenges.
The party has faced three resignations and a leadership spill in little over a week, a period in which regional Australians have faced flash floods and ongoing recovery from destructive summer bushfires.
"I didn't go into politics to be part of a soap opera," Mr Coulton said.
"There is a great excitement in this building here but the people that I represent in regional Australia couldn't give a rat's toenail about the machinations of the National Party.
"They want to know that they can go and see a doctor, they want to know their phone is going to work, they want to know we are opening markets up overseas … they are the things they are interested in.
"This soap opera that we've got ourselves embroiled in in the last week is a distraction to what we are actually here to do and we are doing."
Source
Amazing. One person has a conscience and is questioning this slimy rort that our politicians practice on a daily basis.
it just goes to show how out of touch they really are. Rural areas have suffered the most amidst these natural disasters and all they care about is their petty soap opera.Why people have any faith in political parties these days is beyond me. At least the inbred tomato didn't get back in... 