4 May 2026

2026 REVIEW OF ELECTORATE ALLOWANCES FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

The Remuneration Tribunal  (Tribunal) has initiated a review of the following Determination:

  • Determination 17 of 2022 - MP Electorate Allowances.

The Tribunal invites submissions from affected persons by Friday, 30 July 2026 . Submissions may be sent by email to RemunerationTribunal@sa.gov.au by the closing date and the Tribunal encourages the submissions consider:

  • The Electorate Allowance is provided for expenses associated with discharging parliamentary, electoral or community duties (but not party-political) in the electoral district the Member represents. Any items that are covered by any other allowance or reimbursement is not an Electorate Allowance expense. For example, items that are covered by the Global Allowance.
  • The quantum of Electoral Allowances varies and the exact basis for these variations cannot be easily determined. However, they can largely be traced back to the arrangements that operated to recognise travel costs within different sized electorates prior to 2003, where motor vehicle costs were identified as a significant component of the Electorate Allowance. In 2003 an administrative scheme was introduced to provide Members of Parliament with a fully maintained vehicle subject to a $7000 financial contribution from their Electorate Allowance. That system and the financial contribution remain unchanged. Consequently, if the geographic size of an electorate or other differentiating factors are relied on as the basis for a change to any Electorate Allowance, the Tribunal should be advised of the basis for additional (or reduced) costs.
  • Other travel costs, or accommodation costs, separate from vehicles, that Members of Parliament wish the Tribunal to consider.
  • The Tribunal is also cognizant that Electorate Allowances may be used for sundry expenses related to community events and that precise records of those expenditures may not be available.
  • Subscriptions, telephone, stationery and postage, together with other administrative expenses may be relevant to this review.
  • Other relevant expenses can also be drawn to the Tribunal’s attention.
  • Where the Tribunal's attention is directed to potential anomalies in the quantum of Electoral Allowances, those submissions should be founded on what costs the Electoral Allowance should cover, rather than simply a comparative assessment made in the absence of expenditure evidence.

8 July 2026

2026 INAUGURAL REVIEW OF REMUNERATION FOR OFFICES OF ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL FIRST NATIONS VOICES AND STATE FIRST NATIONS VOICE

The Tribunal has initiated the inaugural review of Remuneration for the Offices of Elected Members of the Local First Nations Voices and State First Nations Voice (Elected Members of the Local and State First Nations Voice).

Given this is the inaugural review, the Tribunal requests that any submissions which are made set out the baseline role and responsibilities, and differentiation between:

  • Elected Members of a Local Voice;
  • Joint Presiding Member of a Local Voice and Member of the State First Nations Voice; and
  • Joint Presiding Member of the State First Nations Voice.

The Tribunal invites detailed information on the nature of the work, the time involved and the allocation and predictability of that time, any regional differences, the frequency, distance and method of travel, the application of technology, relevant cultural factors, administrative support arrangements, expense requirements, the impact on ongoing employment and any insurance costs.

The Tribunal invites submissions from affected persons by Friday, 7 August 2026. Submissions may be sent by email to RemunerationTribunal@sa.gov.au by the closing date.