Mr MILES (Parliamentary Secretary [Cabinet] to the Prime Minister)(9.14 p.m) —Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker—

Mr Filing —You supported this once upon a time, Chris.

Mr MILES —I did, did I? Is that right?

Mr Filing —Yes, you did. I can remember you in opposition.

Mr MILES —Is that right? I would like to make a few comments about this matter. The Treasurer (Mr Costello) has indicated that he will look into and check over this matter. That remains the situation. So we will not be supporting the amendment at this stage. It has been interesting listening to some of the terminology in this debate—about this situation being illogical, unfair and undemocratic and the notion that it would be great to have a parliament of independents. My mind reflected on the Italian situation, where there are lots of small parties and independents. They have had something like 50 governments in 45 years. I suppose we could go out there and argue for an election every nine months if we had a lot of independents. The public would enjoy that, I am sure.

Mr Filing interjecting—

Mr MILES —No, I gave you your time. The Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government (Mr Somlyay) and I were talking about this matter, just reflecting on the nature of Independents and what they get and what they do not get on this particular issue. Another point which is just as legitimate in this debate is that, for those of us who are in major parties, the public funding goes to the party. I think, in your regard, the public funding goes to you as a private individual, and I understand that it is also not taxable.

Mr Filing —Is that a ruling?

Mr MILES —Maybe I could ask the commissioner for a ruling. I do not know if the member for Calare (Mr Andren) has actually been out and told his electors that for every vote he got $1.50 and he was able to actually put it into an account somewhere and it was not taxable.

Mr Andren —I paid my bills.

Mr MILES —You paid your bills, but I thought your bills were already tax deductible. So your bills are tax deductible and then you get paid $1.50 a vote from public funding, and it is not taxable. I do not know on this; I just think that maybe, if we wanted to get into a good debate about this, there would be a sort of balanced position that we would end up with here. I just point out that there are a few other swings and roundabouts in this in which the Independents actually benefit. I am not sure if it is the case, but my understanding was that they might have even got an extra staffer. Is that right? I think that is right.

Mr Rocher —What has that got to do with this?

Mr Martin Ferguson —Same as the shadow ministry.

Mr MILES —Yes, that is right, the same as shadow ministers, but I think not all shadow ministers actually get extra staff either. Anyway, let us not get into that; I think we are straying a little bit too widely on this issue. In regard to this matter, the Treasurer has given an indication, in answer to the member for Curtin (Mr Rocher), when he said, `I undertake on his behalf to check with my colleagues whether there is a widespread view in favour of that before announcing any particular position,' and that remains our position.