Time to expose Parliament’s secret expenses: Why transparency matters

Summarised by Centrist

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union (TPU) is calling for transparency in Parliament’s expense regime, which currently allows non-ministerial MPs to sidestep public scrutiny. 

Unlike ministers, MPs enjoy an exemption from Freedom of Information laws, meaning taxpayer-funded trips, like a recent Hawaiian trip by a Māori Party co-leader to Hawaii, can fly under the radar. 

According to the TPU, this secrecy persists despite calls from groups like the Danks Committee and the Law Commission to bring MP spending into the open.

A new Bill provides a chance to change this. Currently under review, the Bill would alter parliamentary funding rules. According to the TPU, the Bill could also remove secrecy provisions for MPs’ expenses. 

The TPU says in order for it to pass, the Bill now only needs support from a single opposition party to introduce the amendment. 

If passed, it would make MP expenses transparent and align their spending rules with those of ministers.

The TPU alleges MPs are trying to push the Bill through quietly. Submissions close this Wednesday 6 November. 

Read more over at Open the books NZ