SENATOR DAVID BUSHBY
Liberal Senator for Tasmania
Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate
Chair of the Senate Economics References Committee
Advancing Tasmania’s Interests…
DB270711 Wednesday, 27 July 2011
JOHN DOWLING’S ACCUSATIONS BASELESS AND DISINGENUOUS
Liberal Senator for Tasmania David Bushby today dismissed as baseless and disingenuous, allegations that material has been distributed by him outside entitlements.
“My office and I go to great lengths to ensure that we comply with all requirements for the use of my entitlements and that we abide by all relevant legislation,” Senator Bushby said.
“As is readily apparent from even a quick read of the Printing and Communications Entitlements Requirements [see below], the distribution of the material raised by the Tasmanian Labor State Secretary, is clearly within entitlement and entirely consistent with the purpose for which the entitlement is provided.
“If Labor consider otherwise, they should make a complaint through the proper channels instead of disingenuously trying to distract electors from the incompetence both State and Federal Labor have repeatedly demonstrated in Government.
“It is a sad indictment of Tasmanian Labor that they prefer to concentrate on this sort of (unjustified) muck-raking, rather than tell Tasmanians just how much more their electricity will rise under Labor’s carbon tax and just how many Tasmanians will lose their jobs because of the increased cost of production,” Senator Bushby said.
Printing and Communication Entitlements
The distribution of material relating to the carbon tax proposed by the Gillard Labor Government (regardless of who authorised or printed it) is clearly within a Senator’s printing and communications entitlement.
The entitlement rules;
http://www.maps.finance.gov.au/entitlements_handbooks/docs/Handbook_Senators_Members.pdf
http://www.maps.finance.gov.au/circulars/SMOS/2011/docs/Ministerial_Circular_2011-46_Attachment.pdf ;
state that the printing and communications entitlement is required to be only used for parliamentary and electorate purposes and must not be used for party (or commercial) purposes (rule 8).
The entitlement rules further define party business to mean only the following (rule 33):
“the production, communication or distribution of material that
– is, or contains how to vote material; or
– solicits subscriptions or other financial support for a member, political party or candidate…”
And notes at rule 37:
“…Parliamentary purposes will be interpreted to include the conduct of business directly related to a Senator or Member’s membership of the Parliament …”
And
“Examples of Parliamentary purpose may include:
· …
· Communicating with constituents, including:
o Informing constituents about the laws, or proposed laws, considered or being considered by the Parliament; …”
And at rule 38:
“electorate purposes, in relation to a Senator or Member’s constituents, will be interpreted to include:
· Discussing or debating a Senator or Member’s policies, or those of his or her party, or another party.”
[and]
“Examples of electorate purposes may include:
· · Producing or distributing information to constituents (other than information that is party business);…”
Office of Senator David Bushby
Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate
Level 2, 18 Ross Avenue ROSNY PARK
GPO BOX 429 ROSNY PARK TAS 7018
www.davidbushby.com.au
Liberal Senate Team – Advancing Tasmania’s Interests
Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate
