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Travel by Commonwealth Transport

Parliamentarian

This part of the website provides guidance to parliamentarians about the new parliamentary work expenses framework starting 1 January 2018.

For further assistance, contact IPEA on 02 6215 3000 or email enquiries [at] ipea.gov.au.


On this page you will find information about:

Travel by Commonwealth Transport

Parliamentarians may use Commonwealth transport for the purpose of conducting their parliamentary business. The circumstances in which Commonwealth transport may be used are set out in the Parliamentary Business Resources (Commonwealth Transport) Determination 2017.

COMCAR

Parliamentarians may use COMCAR for transport within Australia to conduct their parliamentary business. The principles contained in the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 apply to the use of Commonwealth Transport. 

Use of COMCAR:

  • is not available where a parliamentarian could reasonably use their private plated vehicle (PPV) or the allowance received in lieu of the PPV
  • may include individuals, such as family members, staff and persons assisting with the conduct of the parliamentary business (who are travelling with the parliamentarian)
  • is available for a spouse or nominee of a parliamentarian travelling to accompany or join a parliamentarian under the family reunion travel provisions
  • is available to a spouse when travelling as a representative of a parliamentarian, or as an official invitee
  • is not available for a dependent child unless they are travelling with the parliamentarian, or the spouse or nominee of a parliamentarian
  • is available to a medical doctor accompanying the Prime Minister on international travel, for incidental transport within Australia
  • is treated as unscheduled commercial transport for any applicable limit for a parliamentarian under the Parliamentary Business Resources regulations 2017
  • will be included in the parliamentarian’s expenditure report 
  • is subject to operational availability.

Using COMCAR for Personal Safety

Ministers and Shadow Ministers (including Parliamentary Secretaries and Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries) may use COMCAR for personal safety reasons (Parliamentary Business Resources regulations 2017).

Special Purpose Aircraft 

Special Purpose Aircraft (SPA) may be used for travel within Australia by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence.

  • Other persons may be invited to travel in the aircraft with the Minister.
  • The dominant purpose of the travel must be for parliamentary business.
  • The expense must represent value for money (taking into account the parliamentary business).

The Minister for Defence may approve use of SPA travel by other parliamentarians within Australia. The Prime Minister may approve use of SPA for travel that takes place, in whole or in part, outside Australia.

  • The approval may permit other people to travel in the aircraft with the parliamentarian.
  • The dominant purpose of the travel must be for parliamentary business.
  • In approving the use of SPA, the Minister must ensure that expenses incurred represent value for money (taking into account the parliamentary business).

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