“There is only one real answer to how there is proper accountability in this area, and that is through bulk-funding of MPs’ entitlements, and I am disappointed the Auditor-General has not gone down that path,” he says.

Mr Dunne says bulk-funding would be much fairer for MPs and would be more transparent to the public.

“It would make MPs more accountable, and would provide for great public scrutiny.”

“However, the major parties oppose it for precisely those reasons.”

“The last thing they want is individual MPs having more power and responsibility at the expense of the Caucus monolith, so bulk-funding will not be implemented, and the seed sown by the Auditor-General notwithstanding, the system of Parliamentary Allowances will continue to remain murky,” Mr Dunne says.

ENDS