Bill extends expenses move

The new era of transparency over expenses paid by the public purse will extend to former governors-general under a bill introduced to Parliament yesterday.

Expenses of free domestic travel and chauffer-driven VIP cars paid for by Internal Affairs will have to be specified for each former governor-general in the department's annual report.

It will probably pave the way for similar disclosures for the expenses of former prime ministers, because the funding for both retired groups comes out of the same appropriation.

The information can be obtained under the Official Information Act but it is not routinely published.

The perks of former MPs is funded by Parliament, not a government department, and is not subject to the Official Information Act.

The new transparency clause is one of the provisions of the Governor-General Bill, the main provision of which is to end the tax exemption for governors-general.

It will take effect from the appointment of the next governor-general.

The bill allows for a specified benefits upon retirement to be written into the terms of agreement, meaning the costs could be capped. All former governors-general and former PMs are given VIP cars and domestic air travel.

Last year's Budget allowed $215,000 for the cost of travel for former governors-general and PMs but the actual cost was it came in at $308,000. The May Budget has allowed for $520,000.

The bill follows the recommendations of a Law Commission review last year of the Civil List Act. It is expected the Remuneration Authority will increase the salary to take account of the new tax liability.