Aussie Premier blocks perks for predecessor

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Former New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally is not entitled to post-leadership entitlements because she wasn't elected by the people, Premier Barry O'Farrell says.

An email leaked to the Sun-Herald newspaper reveals that O'Farrell has rebuffed a request by Keneally for the occasional use of a state car and driver to attend night-time charity events, which she does regularly.

In response to Keneally's request, O'Farrell introduced a minimum five years that a Premier must have served before being granted any state-funded entitlements, including office space, staff such as drivers, and airline tickets.

O'Farrell defended his actions, which have been described by one charity associated with Keneally as "incredibly mean".

"There is no entitlement, there has been no entitlement for short-term premiers," O'Farrell told Sky's Agenda programme.

"Unless you are elected by the people, not appointed by Judge Eddie Obeid, you shouldn't be entitled to taxpayer-funded entitlements."

Keneally already had a A$30,000 ($38,500) allowance as an MP, which in part provides for taxis and hired cars, O'Farrell added.

Under the new five-year limit, the former Liberal Premier Nick Greiner, who served four years in the job, would be without entitlements. But O'Farrell decided not to take back Greiner's perks, which last year cost NSW taxpayers A$500,000.

- AAP