7th Sep 2006, 12:27 PM – Senate Motions - Motion for Disallowance - Parliamentary printing allowances

The majority voted against disallowing Schedules 1 and 3 to the Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment Regulations 2006 (No. 1), which means that these Regulations would remain unchanged.

The motion was introduced jointly by Labor Senator Chris Evans, Greens Senator Bob Brown and Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Murray.

What does this motion mean?

This motion asked the Senate to agree to stop Schedules 1 and 3 having legal force.

Schedule 1 increases the House of Representatives' printing entitlements to $150,000 per member per year (from $125,000 per member per year). And as Senator Evans explained, "it also introduces a provision that allows the member to roll over 45 per cent of their unused entitlement from one year into the following year".

Schedule 3 changes the Senate's printing entitlements. Senator Evans explained that "[t]he new arrangements move from a cap on the reams of paper and printing via the Senate printing office, which senators have access to, to a universal cap of $20,000 per annum for all printing requirements." Labor Senator Kim Carr discused the changes in more detail and the new limits it puts on senators' capacity to print.

Motion text

That Schedules 1 and 3 to the Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment Regulations 2006 (No. 1), as contained in Select Legislative Instrument 2006 No. 211 and made under the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990, be disallowed.