An online publication today revealed taxpayers are forking out more than $1.1 million a year on Canberra accommodation costs claimed by 62 politicians who already own homes in the nation’s capital, and Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis is wrapped up in the rort.
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Thanks to The New Daily report, the outrage on Twitter was palpable, as taxpayers discovered they were footing hotel bill for members of parliament who are on a base salary of $200,000 and well positioned to look after themselves.
From 2016 to 2017, Mrs Sudmalis claimed $16,008 in travel expenses, despite owning a property in the ACT suburb of Narrabundah.
Mrs Sudmalis rents out the property at Narrabundah.
Her series of 58 $276-per-night stays scraped in under the limit set at $285 per night.
The rate is designed to cover the expensive costs of staying in a Canberra hotel.
The figure now exceeds the weekly income received by a jobseeker on Newstart, at $270 a week.
The South Coast Register asked Mrs Sudmalis a number of questions about the rort:
- How is this fair on the taxpayer?
- Is this a reasonable burden on the taxpayer?
- There is plenty of community outrage about this, can you understand why people are frustrated about the money being spent?
- Will you consider moving back to your Narrabundah property once the lease is up?
Her one-line response was indignant.
“Parliamentary Travel Allowance is expended in accordance with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
