25 Jul 2012

Secret meeting of MPs and Speaker discusses pay changes

2:15 pm on 25 July 2012

Members of Parliament have met the Speaker of the House in secret to discuss changes to the way their salaries and allowances are set.

The committee is considering legislation on how to set entitlements, such as for travel and accommodation services.

The proposal is to give that job to the Remuneration Authority along with another person, who the legislation defines as someone with the appropriate experience.

The Speaker would retain responsibility for allocating funding for parties' and MPs' support and administrative services.

Lockwood Smith's appearance at the Government Administration select committee was supposed to be open to the public, but media and others were blocked from attending the hearing on Wednesday morning.