Q. Which of the following political expenses should politicians be reimbursed for?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Vote Other | Oct 2013 | |||
| Travel for events directly related to their electoral or parliamentary work (unlimited if work related) | 64% | 65% | 70% | 78% | 61% | 70% | ||
| Printing of materials to inform their electorate | 62% | 62% | 68% | 69% | 59% | 53% | ||
| Publications allowance (for books and magazines) | 38% | 37% | 42% | 52% | 33% | 31% | ||
| Overseas study trips (a limited number per year) | 34% | 34% | 38% | 46% | 29% | 36% | ||
| Free use of a taxpayer funded car | 29% | 27% | 35% | 29% | 22% | 29% | ||
| An allowance for nights spent in Canberra, regardless of where the MP stays | 26% | 24% | 31% | 23% | 23% | 19% | ||
| An electorate allowance that covers the cost of serving the electorate, which MP’s can keep if it is not spent | 21% | 20% | 22% | 26% | 20% | 16% | ||
| Social events for networking purposes | 17% | 12% | 26% | 11% | 12% | 19% | ||
| Travel for politicians families to visit them in Canberra or interstate when they are on Government business | 16% | 16% | 16% | 26% | 12% | 18% | ||
| Travel for politicians spouses to accompany them on overseas trips | 15% | 14% | 16% | 21% | 15% | 15% |
More than half approve of reimbursing politicians for travel for events directly related to their electoral or parliamentary work (64%) and printing of materials to inform their electorate (62%). A substantial minority also approve a publications allowance (38%) and limited overseas study trips (34%).
Very few supported funding for travel for spouses to accompany them on overseas trips (15%) or family travel within Australia (16%).
Since this question was asked in October 2013, support has fallen for funding travel to directly-related events (down 6%), but increased for printing (up 9%), publications (up 7%) and an allowance for nights spent in Canberra (up 7%).
Bronwyn Bishop, political expenses
Do you think Bronwyn Bishop should now resign from Parliament or remain in Parliament?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Vote Other | ||
| Should resign from Parliament | 66% | 78% | 52% | 80% | 77% | |
| Should remain in Parliament | 18% | 9% | 35% | 12% | 11% | |
| Don’t know | 16% | 13% | 13% | 8% | 12% |
66% think the former Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop, should resign from Parliament and 18% think she should remain in Parliament.
A slight majority of Liberal/National voters think she should resign from Parliament.
political expenses, tony abbott
Q. Thinking about the issue of politicians claiming expenses for attending social functions and other non-government related spending, do you think the Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s response to this issue has been too tough, too soft or about right?
|
Total |
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote other |
|
| Too tough |
3% |
4% |
2% |
4% |
1% |
|
| Too soft |
48% |
67% |
32% |
73% |
50% |
|
| About right |
26% |
9% |
46% |
6% |
24% |
|
| Don’t know |
23% |
20% |
20% |
17% |
25% |
48% think that Prime Minster Tony Abbott’s response to politicians claiming expenses for attending social functions and other non-government related spending has been too soft, 3% think he has been too tough and 26% think his response has been about right.