Pollies Lose their Flight Perks

[drron]

They applied for a job in Canberra with long hours. How can they expect to be compensated extra when they knew what the job entailed.

If they don't like it they can always find a new job.

ejb

Absolutely.And why do they keep re-applying every 3 years?

 

[levelnine]

What misinformation?

We all know why they are removing points earning....to save money that is obvious.

ejb

Sorry, I should have quoted a particular reply. I was responding to these comments:

It’s points and SC’s, but doesn’t say if there’ll be any savings because the companies have agreed to turn off accrual on business travel. Seems silly that no one is getting a benefit here, after all, a pollie could earn a significant number of points towards free travel or upgrades in the future, and as a result of travelling so much for work, be a high enough level to easily get an upgrade.

The savings is a good question. Having seen this implemented in a state government, there was no saving to the department concerned. Using the official travel provider resulted in the exact same cost as could be booked on line. But, as with the 5% ot 8% qantas give to business, I'm sure there must have been something coming back to the government, to treasury. I situation that I found to be entirely unsuitable. The departments get their budget and then are forced to spend it at the mandated travel provider without seeing any savings. Sure the government gets money back but that doesn't help on the front line.

And ...

Not misinformationm at all. In my experience with a state government, while there may be savings (that is the reason given for certain travel policies), the actual department that spends the money doesn't see the savings. I'm not sure how this relates to the commonwealth government, but I do note that you only mention a discount for the government, not the department. Sure you might be wondering what the difference, and there is probably little difference for the tax payer. But it terms of departmental operation and budgetting there is a major difference. On a large department travel budget, there is potentially a few percent extra that the department should be able to use for it's operations. Instead that is getting recycled back to Treasury. Dodgy.

There is still a net saving to the person ultimately paying the fare: government and thus the taxpayer. And that is one of the primary purposes of removing the earning of FF points. Of course, as to where this saving is accrued for the purpose of government financial records will depend on how travel budgets are allocated, expended and accounted for.

----

Out of interest, does anyone know of any other companies that have sought to introduce a similar scheme particularly in light of the global financial crisis? I wouldn't be surprised if some additional companies have adopted this policy. If it did occur on a large scale, it would be quite a substantial hit to the number of FF points being earnt.

 

[oz_mark]

Why should Pollies/PS be any different? If we are asking them to travel in addition to their normal work hours and be away from their families then shouldn't they get the same perks as the rest of us?

In the context of this change, it was bringing the politicians into line with the rest of the public service.

 

[simongr]

They took jobs with travel knowing the perks they could get - they have now been removed. Tehy can get another job if it is that big a deal.

Personally I think this is a double standard especially when many of us here have company funded status and benefits.

I just don't see the rationale of "it is public money and they should save MY money". When a goodman fielder exec flies on business that is part of the cost of your loaf of bread so shouldn't you be saying to GF and every other corporate to save our money?

I would prefer that they spend time tackling massive waste ($2BN on insulation anyone?) than tackling FF points - but I guess this way they can score a few points on ACA/TT... The only downside of recently becoming a citizen is being forced to vote for these turkeys!

 

[possumoz]

I regularly see local pollies flying economy between BNE - TSV. Which, as a J flyer I find a good thing, as I don't have to overcome my overtired almost home grumps in order to smile and engage in dull conversations about cricket with some member for somewhere or other.

I'd be very surprised if there were any politicians that stayed in parliament just for the alleged perks.

As someone who flies a lot I don't consider J dom class a perk.

Perhaps its time for airlines to create a special category f frequent flyer program...like a corporate flyer. Then its the companies/ governments that join and not the individual. Points and status (if any) could be non transferable over to individual pvt travel.

 

[Dee Thom]

Perhaps its time for airlines to create a special category f frequent flyer program...like a corporate flyer. Then its the companies/ governments that join and not the individual. Points and status (if any) could be non transferable over to individual pvt travel.

There are mid to large companies who's travel is majority Aus, who have 12month contracts with either DJ or QF, depending on their needs, however, their management and senior employees are listed individually, as an extra wage package perk.
Don't know how the Government works their perks package.

Cheers Dee

 

[ejb]

Well guys we are famous.

This thread was quoted on 6PR (a Perth radio station) this morning although they did not credit it.

They said that internet forums were hot on the topic and then quoted verbatim from this thread.

ejb

 

[ejb]

They took jobs with travel knowing the perks they could get - they have now been removed. Tehy can get another job if it is that big a deal.

Personally I think this is a double standard especially when many of us here have company funded status and benefits.

I just don't see the rationale of "it is public money and they should save MY money". When a goodman fielder exec flies on business that is part of the cost of your loaf of bread so shouldn't you be saying to GF and every other corporate to save our money?

I would prefer that they spend time tackling massive waste ($2BN on insulation anyone?) than tackling FF points - but I guess this way they can score a few points on ACA/TT... The only downside of recently becoming a citizen is being forced to vote for these turkeys!

But Simon if I think GF bread is overpriced I go to Bakers Delight. Can I change pollies?

ejb

 

[serfty]

... than tackling FF points - but I guess this way they can score a few points on ACA/TT... The only downside of recently becoming a citizen is being forced to vote for these turkeys!

Actually, it's really as "upside" as you actually get to vote against them ...

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...new-opposition-leader-20489-4.html#post284583

 

[drron]

I was reading a SMH article this morning which seems to have disappeared now.It said the Commonwealth spends $500 million a year on pollies travel.Savings with this measure $40 million.That is an 8% saving if no FF points.
Just interesting.

 

[JohnK]

Interesting thread.

People should enter politics to serve their country not to rip off the public.

Politicians rip off the public? Surely that cannot be true.

Looks like I could be the only one who thinks that this new system is fair.

In a way agree with you.

This is not quite the same as private business. A public servant should not be seen to be making a gain (other than salary) from their time working for the people.

I wish they would clamp down the same way on superannuation, cars, travel allowances (listing an obscure address considerably further than their usual place of residence is totally dishonest (and theft) regardless of how you look at it), junkets, free travel for life after 2-3 terms in politics etc.

 

[ejb]

I was reading a SMH article this morning which seems to have disappeared now.It said the Commonwealth spends $500 million a year on pollies travel.Savings with this measure $40 million.That is an 8% saving if no FF points.
Just interesting.

As no or very few points are currently used by pollies this is a good saving for the tax payer. $40M could go a long way towards tackling homelessness or getting equipment for hospitals.

They will still get SC's so if they are not CL they will still be WP and personally I think status is more valuable than points.

ejb

 

[levelnine]

But Simon if I think GF bread is overpriced I go to Bakers Delight. Can I change pollies?

ejb

Well, yes you can, by voting for someone else. Although, if all politicians earn FF points, then changing them will make no difference. And there, I think, is the problem regarding the corporate sphere. While you can change who you buy your bread/milk/groceries/etc from, what if they all give their corporate executives generous perks? I think we see this problem adequately demonstrated in the finance sector where banks (retail and investment) continually seek to outbid each other for who can pay their executives the biggest bonuses without there being any discernible benefit to the end consumer or even the shareholder. If they all award generous perks, switching will make no difference. Here is where I think there is a double standard. Politicians cannot get away with perks because they are accountable to the public. But corporate executives can because they are accountable to shareholders, yet shareholders have almost zero power to influence the pay of executives.

 

[UP4014]

I cannot choose to pay taxes, so this new policy is good.

I can choose to buy my loaf of bread elsewhere so I do not care if the CEO of Goodman Fielder flies in his own plane.

 

[ejb]

Well, yes you can, by voting for someone else. Although, if all politicians earn FF points, then changing them will make no difference. And there, I think, is the problem regarding the corporate sphere. While you can change who you buy your bread/milk/groceries/etc from, what if they all give their corporate executives generous perks? I think we see this problem adequately demonstrated in the finance sector where banks (retail and investment) continually seek to outbid each other for who can pay their executives the biggest bonuses without there being any discernible benefit to the end consumer or even the shareholder. If they all award generous perks, switching will make no difference. Here is where I think there is a double standard. Politicians cannot get away with perks because they are accountable to the public. But corporate executives can because they are accountable to shareholders, yet shareholders have almost zero power to influence the pay of executives.

Shareholders can play a big role these days. I think you will find that Harvey Norman recently tried to slip a large options deal into the directors package and was voted down by the shareholders. Other large companies are having to pay more attention to the wishes of the investors.

However when times are good you don't question the perks given to private company bosses as they are exceeding expectations but with the current situation regarding govt debt and the fact it will take a generation to pay for KRudd's spendathon pollies should be tightening every belt to reign in spending.

Next they need to lose the travel after leaving office/car and driver/pension for life regardless of other work.

ejb

 

[Harry G]

perhaps with all the belt tightening, I would suggest one keeps an eye on "who" wins the tender for Government travel which I am led to believe is either happening now or not to far away.......
"maybe" with the new "throne incumbent" at DJ, maybe there could be a little uneasyness at QF, especially now the FF points have gone or at least proposed to be gone.......and the "perceived" cost cutting....... cannot remember but I am sure someone on this forum will enlighten all of us when i ask.........
does labor like or loathe QF??

 

[Dee Thom]

As no or very few points are currently used by pollies this is a good saving for the tax payer. $40M could go a long way towards tackling homelessness or getting equipment for hospitals.

Bet it goes to covering their many financial blunders of the past few months.
These are the blunders we won't hear about till after the next election!!!!!

Cheers Dee

 

[ejb]

Bet it goes to covering their many financial blunders of the past few months.
These are the blunders we won't hear about till after the next election!!!!!

Cheers Dee

You mean the blunders currently hiding behind "Inquiries", BER/Home Insulation/Green Loans.

ejb

 

[simongr]

Y"Inquiries", BER/Home Insulation/Green Loans.

ejb

And Inquiries don't come cheap... I have never really understood the point about inquiries - seems like an expensive exercise in finger pointing with no real benefit as the same mistakes are not really repeated - the pollies are good at inventing brand new mistakes and ways to pi55 away my hard earned money...

 

[ejb]

And Inquiries don't come cheap... I have never really understood the point about inquiries - seems like an expensive exercise in finger pointing with no real benefit as the same mistakes are not really repeated - the pollies are good at inventing brand new mistakes and ways to pi55 away my hard earned money...

This govt seems to be competant in one area only, having meetings about how to get things done, and when they stuff up the few things they actually do, calling an inquiry to shift the blame to a public servant so they can keepp their jobs.

The sooner they are gone the better we will be.

ejb