Government MP compares travel allowance to workers’ penalty rates

Small Business Minister Michael McCormack has said politicians’ allowances are all “part of the package” and defended charging taxpayers $50,000 to stay at his wife’s apartment in Canberra.

McCormack used his $273-a-night travel allowance to claim accomodation expenses while staying at the apartment purchased under his wife’s name.

Politicians are legally allowed to claim their allowance even if they are staying in their own home in Canberra, effectively meaning they can pay off their mortgage with taxpayer money, reports The Daily Advertiser.

Public records show the Nationals MP claimed $48,256 in Canberra travel allowance between May 2013 and June 2016.

He told The Daily Advertiser politicians’ allowances are similar to worker’s penalty rates and that he’s not breaking any rules.

“I get a travel allowance, others get penalty rates – it’s part of the package,” he told his local newspaper,” he said.

His comments come after the Coalition supported the Fair Work Commission’s cuts to some Sunday penalty rates.

Last year, a review in politician’s spending investigated the travel allowance and how it was used, but recommended no changes to the process.

A number of other MPs use the taxpayer-funded kitty to contribute to their mortgages in Canberra, including Labor frontbencher Penny Wong, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Social Services Minister Christian Porter, according to Fairfax.

There was public outcry in 2015 when it was revealed Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey had been using his allowance the same way.

Is it okay for politicians to use their travel allowance like this if they’re not breaking the rules? Or do the rules need to change?