Tuesday, 21 March 2017

The need for a national ICAC and political donation reform is in the spotlight again following news that a Turnbull government MP has been called before a Queensland corruption inquiry, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

“Turnbull government MP Stuart Robert has been ordered to appear before the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission’s inquiry into claims of questionable political donations,” Senator Rhiannon said.

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Senator RHIANNON: I will not take that long. Thank you, Chair. I understand that half a million dollars has been allocated for the department to scope a new computer system to manage MPs' allowances.

Senator Cormann: If you talk that MPs allowances, that is in outcome 3 later tonight. So that is after 8 o'clock.

Senator RHIANNON: Even though it is about the allocations of funding?

Senator Cormann: This is very much a matter for outcome 3.

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Senator RHIANNON: I would like to ask some questions about scrutineering and the count. Is it reasonable that the number of scrutineers that candidates can appoint remains linked only to AEC officials and not to the amount of data entry staff?

Mr Pirani: It is actually a requirement in the act. Section 264 sets out the number of scrutineers that a candidate is able to engage. Section 264 says:

Lee's duties as a Senator for NSW and a portfolio holder for the Australian Greens require her to travel both within NSW and interstate. Senate related travel is paid for using parliamentary allowances.

As Australian Greens spokesperson for democracy Lee has long campaigned for more scrutiny of how MPs use allowances and  for this information to be made public as close to real time as possible.

Lee's duties as a Senator for NSW and a portfolio holder for the Australian Greens require her to travel both within NSW and interstate. Senate related travel is paid for using parliamentary allowances.

As Australian Greens spokesperson for democracy Lee has long campaigned for more scrutiny of how MPs use allowances and  for this information to be made public as close to real time as possible.

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Senator RHIANNON: In estimates on Monday of this week, Senator Brandis, you argued that Senate order 20C, for rolling disclosure of meetings with former ministers, is potentially invalid on the basis of advice from the Clerk of the House of Representatives. The Greens have obtained today advice from the Acting Clerk of the Senate, Mr Richard Pye, which confirms that the order is valid.

Senator Brandis: That does not surprise me, Senator Rhiannon.

Lee's duties as a Senator for NSW and a portfolio holder for the Australian Greens require her to travel both within NSW and interstate. Senate related travel is paid for using parliamentary allowances.

As Australian Greens spokesperson for democracy Lee has long campaigned for more scrutiny of how MPs use allowances and  for this information to be made public as close to real time as possible.

Monday, 27 February 2017

Senator RHIANNON: Can you tell me whether former resources minister Mr Macfarlane has met with any departmental staff or with the minister or his office in his capacity as Queensland Resources Council CEO since he left parliament?