NT minister claiming travel allowance when staying at property she owns

Northern Territory Education Minister Jo Hersey is facing scrutiny for claiming a $450 nightly travel allowance while staying in an apartment she owns in Darwin City. Her claims are permissible under current parliamentary rules, which allow politicians residing outside the Greater Darwin region to claim the tax-free allowance when on official business in Darwin, regardless of their accommodation.

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No it's not [appropriate]. You're not allowed to claim money when you're actually not spending it for the purpose of what the money is there for.

Hersey's situation has drawn comparisons to a recent criticism leveled by her Country Liberal Party colleague, Robyn Cahill, against Labor politician Manuel Brown. Cahill argued that Brown should not claim the same allowance when staying at his own home in Palmerston, stating that the allowance is intended to cover accommodation and transport costs, not to be claimed when one is staying in their own property.

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Doesn't pass the test. In most companies if you stayed in your own property and claimed travel allowance, fired.

While Hersey's office confirmed the travel allowance claims following media inquiries, the controversy echoes past scandals involving travel allowances in Northern Territory politics. Notably, former NT Chief Minister Ian Tuxworth resigned in 1986 after improperly claiming travel allowances intended for members residing outside Darwin, even after his family had relocated to the capital.

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How dare they claim this money. They're looking like pigs eating from the public trough. Disgusted.

Public reaction, as reflected on radio talkback lines, has been largely critical. Many callers expressed disapproval, with comments suggesting the practice "doesn't pass the test" and is inappropriate for politicians to claim public money for their own properties. Some likened it to politicians "eating from the public trough" and questioned why politicians are not held to the same standards as public servants regarding such claims.

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Why aren't pollies subject to the same rules as the public service which has a reduced rate if you are staying at your own place.