DA will push for cuts to MP travel benefits

ANC Chief Whip, Stone Sizani's accusation regarding our position on MP travel benefits is misleading and without basis.

The DA never initiated the proposal. As a political party represented in Parliament, like the ANC, we were represented on the task team that considered it.

The truth is that our representatives on that task team used that platform to push for cuts - particularly to the current system that entitles former ministers to 78 business class entitlements per year for life. 

We welcome measures which will cut these exorbitant costs, by bringing members of the executive into line with ordinary MPs. But we categorically do not support increasing benefits to retired MPs. Indeed, it is our view that Parliament should be looking to find ways to cut these post-retirement benefits further.

Currently, a retired member who serves for one term gets four free air tickets a year for five years; a member who serves for two terms receives four tickets a year for ten years; a member who serves for three terms gets four tickets a year for 15 years and so on.

The new proposal, which was formulated as one of several ‘scenarios', aims to give one-term MPs who retire eight tickets a year for five years; two-term MPs, 16 tickets for ten years and MPs serving three or more terms, 24 tickets a year for ten years only. 

The DA is deeply concerned about this increase, and the cost implications for the taxpayer.

It must be noted that the proposal from the Parliamentary Oversight Authority has only just been tabled. The DA's caucus will consider it in its entirety before making our full position public. 

We will continue to push for more cuts, and will do everything possible to ensure that MPs set the right example for all our people.

This has always been our position. 

Statement issued by Dr Wilmot James MP, DA Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry, April 2 2014

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