MEDIA RELEASE

NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL  

24th May 2004

FEDERAL MPs SHOULD FOLLOW SA’s LEAD ON TRAVEL REPORTS BEING POSTED ON THE NET

In the wake of controversy over Federal MP’s Trish Draper’s overseas travel, No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon has called on the Federal Government to follow the South Australian Parliament’s lead and post MPs travel reports on the internet.

 “Now, South Australian MPs travel reports are one click away on the Net, compared to the situation in the past where reports were locked away in the dungeons of Parliament House”.

“If tax payers have paid for Federal MPs trips the public has a right to know about that trip – instead of the travel reports being virtually under lock and key as is currently the case”

 “It is ridiculous that Federal MPs travel reports can only be obtained by Freedom of Information requests.  Putting MPs travel reports on the internet allows the public at large to judge for themselves whether the trip was good value for taxpayers’ money.”