Free flight ex-MPs need wings clipped, says Bob Brown

[Nigelinoz]

Free flight ex-MPs need wings clipped, says Bob Brown | National Breaking News | News.com.au

EX-MPs using taxpayer dollars to take holidays and business trips need to "have their wings clipped", according to Greens leader Bob Brown.
"It's incredible there's a gold pass system for ex-MPs that allows holidays to be taken," Senator Brown said.
"The case for ex-MPs travelling should be confined totally to the public interest.
"Ordinary pensioners don't get that nor should political pensioners.
"It needs to be limited and it needs to be watched by an independent arbiter.

One wonders whether Mr Brown would put his money where his mouth is and say no to the gold pass when he becomes eligible for it

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Of all the pollies he would be the one to do it... While I think that they should get funded flight for things clearly in the national interest, holidays are going way to far

 

[drron]

One wonders whether Mr Brown would put his money where his mouth is and say no to the gold pass when he becomes eligible for it

Well it certainly is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.Look at these figures-
Media Release 22/2009 - Office Holders and Staff Travelling Allowance and Expenses from 1 July to 31 December 2008
Of the 3 pollies based in hobart that are listed old Bob doesnt exactly come out smelling like roses.
travel ,staff ,travel ,car hire
Duncan kerr(ALP) 16470 ,3865 ,2395
Eric Abetz(LIB) 19400 ,12669 ,1779
Good Ole bob 20805 ,63466 ,2395
This was for the last 6 months of 2008.
Another Do as I say not as I do proponent.

 

[simongr]

Of all the pollies he would be the one to do it... While I think that they should get funded flight for things clearly in the national interest, holidays are going way to far

Why should ex-MPs get any travel? If it is in the national interest then the organisation that they are working for should be paying for it because of the job they are doing rather than the job that they did?

Unless of course it was stipulated in their terms of employment when they took the position...

 

[Cyclogenesis]

then the discussion is about said terms... (hehe... yes, if I had it I would use it too!)

 

[chrisb]

Duncan kerr(ALP) 16470 ,3865 ,2395
Eric Abetz(LIB) 19400 ,12669 ,1779
Good Ole bob 20805 ,63466 ,2395
This was for the last 6 months of 2008.
Another Do as I say not as I do proponent.

Bob Brown is not exactly just a 'normal' politician - He is a senator and leader of the party, so it's not surprising he needs to travel more.

Also, there's a HUGE difference between travel while on the job and taking holidays after you retire.

 

[medhead]

Why should ex-MPs get any travel? If it is in the national interest then the organisation that they are working for should be paying for it because of the job they are doing rather than the job that they did?

Unless of course it was stipulated in their terms of employment when they took the position...

Umm, one slight problem is that they often don't have a job. The Ex-PMs, for example, have no job as such. Take Bill O'Chee, as an example, living out his life on a very decent pension having got out of politics in mis 30s. I wouldn't bother with anything as oh um as a job if I was him.

the story could have defined who actually gets a gold card, would have bene nice to know so I don't have to look it up (if I actually give one)

 

[drron]

Bob Brown is not exactly just a 'normal' politician - He is a senator and leader of the party, so it's not surprising he needs to travel more.

Also, there's a HUGE difference between travel while on the job and taking holidays after you retire.

Though Eric Abetz is a senator and deputy opposition leader in the senate,Duncan Kerr is a parliamentary secretary so both fairly similiar to the leader of a minor party in their duties.

 

[farstar]

I was on a flight from Melbourne to Hobart last week and Bob Brown was in 1A. A couple got on and said I think you are in my seat and he said "Oh yes I am probably on the other side" and sure enough his seat was the window on the other side.

 

[RB]

I was on a flight from Melbourne to Hobart last week and Bob Brown was in 1A. A couple got on and said I think you are in my seat and he said "Oh yes I am probably on the other side" and sure enough his seat was the window on the other side.

At least he was smart enough to stop at Row 1

 

[Mr Ed]

It's simple, Ex pollies live way too long. Whitlam was booted out over 30 years ago, just to name one ex pollie.
Just how many ex - pollies are out there sucking up all the (free) travel?

 

[medhead]

It's simple, Ex pollies live way too long. Whitlam was booted out over 30 years ago, just to name one ex pollie.
Just how many ex - pollies are out there sucking up all the (free) travel?

yep and McMahon before Whitlam, and his wife has only just stopped using the gold card. (Sadly she past away). Downer's mum still has a gold card going, she even sold the family estate in the Adelaide Hills a few years ago to move closer to the airport. :shock:

 

[albatross710]

Well it certainly is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.Look at these figures-
Media Release 22/2009 - Office Holders and Staff Travelling Allowance and Expenses from 1 July to 31 December 2008
Of the 3 pollies based in hobart that are listed old Bob doesnt exactly come out smelling like roses.
travel ,staff ,travel ,car hire
Duncan kerr(ALP) 16470 ,3865 ,2395
Eric Abetz(LIB) 19400 ,12669 ,1779
Good Ole bob 20805 ,63466 ,2395
This was for the last 6 months of 2008.
Another Do as I say not as I do proponent.

Given that Mr Brown is a party leader and has a requirement for extra travel to fill that role, in my opinion it makes Mr Kerr & Mt Abetz look like the ones needing to justify their travel.

The gold pass should go

 

[Moody]

Given that Mr Brown is a party leader and has a requirement for extra travel to fill that role, in my opinion it makes Mr Kerr & Mt Abetz look like the ones needing to justify their travel.

The gold pass should go

Agree. It should be replaced with a system that requires justification (i.e. proven public benefit) so that true "elder statesperson" travel is OK, but junkets and holidays are declined.

I also can't believe that the travel expenses of the politician with the highest integrity are being compared against those of the politician with the lowest.

 

[medhead]

Agree. It should be replaced with a system that requires justification (i.e. proven public benefit) so that true "elder statesperson" travel is OK, but junkets and holidays are declined.

I also can't believe that the travel expenses of the politician with the highest integrity are being compared against those of the politician with the lowest.

Hey? you mentioned politician, intergrity and high in the same sentence.
I have no idea who you mean.

Besides all of those mentioned in this thread would try and have tried to mislead people to push their own barrow.

 

[ric_melb]

yep and McMahon before Whitlam, and his wife has only just stopped using the gold card. (Sadly she past away).


When last I checked, neither Sonia McMahon, or Margaret Whitlam, had died.

 

[medhead]

When last I checked, neither Sonia McMahon, or Margaret Whitlam, had died.

Well their you go, she is stillusing the gold card then

Not sure why Margaret Whitlam gets a mention I'm sure she is not using Billy McMahon's gold card as I don't recall her ever being married to him. She'd probably use her husband's gold card.

 

[MissBurrill]

2 serving Senators flew Pacific Blue last week. I was told there were seats spare in Y+ however they were seated apart in the rear end of the plane with their escort seated in the front half of the plane. Guess their velocity profile doesn't mention who they are.

Wonder how they coped with their return journey on Sol Air economy........? :shock:

Karen

 

[RB]

2 serving Senators flew Pacific Blue last week. I was told there were seats spare in Y+ however they were seated apart in the rear end of the plane with their escort seated in the front half of the plane. Guess their velocity profile doesn't mention who they are.

Wonder how they coped with their return journey on Sol Air economy........? :shock:

Karen

Most senators are such non-events I am surprised you were able to recognise them!

 

[moa999]

On QF those same Senators will be Chairman's Club members and get a seat at the front of the plane.

Think DJ has some learning to do.