Why disqualified pollies won’t have to repay their salaries
For months now, Canberra has been rocked by a scandal that’s seen eight MPs and senators stripped of their jobs after failing to disclose (and renounce) their dual citizenships prior to running for office.
As the embarrassing saga continues, many Australians want to know if the affected pollies will be forced to repay their salaries, given they breached the constitution when entering their seats.
The average backbencher’s salary stands at around $200,000 – not to mention entitlements and superannuation – but it seems those caught up in the scandal will not be made to reimburse taxpayers.
The reason why is a little complicated, the ABC explains.
“Back in 1907, the High Court ruled that any votes made on legislation still stand, even after a member is booted from parliament,” writes political reporter Jane Norman.
“So a disqualified member’s service is still recognised. Even though they were not supposed to be there, they were still doing their job."
Despite the disqualified MPs’ combined salaries totalling millions of dollars, in terms of the federal budget ($465 billion), it means very little.
In addition, the Commonwealth argues that the same amount of money would have been spent regardless. “Whoever filled that Lower House seat or Senate spot would have been paid a salary with entitlements and superannuation, so it is basically budget neutral," Norman explains.
Tell us in the comments below, do you think the politicians caught up in the dual citizenship scandal should be made to repay their salaries?