1) Once MP’s were a lot more honest and we didn’t need to worry too much about bludging and rorting and other abuses of the system

2) Since MMP there is so much riff raff in Parliament, who cannot be trusted to do the right thing, we need to overhaul the Ministerial Spending governance system

From the report-

Overall, we have concluded that the current system for providing support to Ministers has flaws at each of the levels we examined. The system functions but, cumulatively, the problems are significant.

IOW, its open to rank abuse. The report even has a bit of comedy- “The good name of MPs is important to them,” and this bit that I thought was exceptionally revealing-

* the Department’s responsibility for the system, and all spending under it, needs to be put beyond doubt;
* the system needs a clear and coherent legal basis;
* the Executive Determination should set out clear and workable rules;
* administrative policies and procedures should help people to get it right; and
* financial records should show compliance with the main requirements.

Was there a system at all then? If the current system did not comply with these simple requirements, then how can it be any kind of system??

The system needs to be able to be understood not only by those administering it, but also by those to whom service is being provided, and by the general public who fund it.

Well really? Aint that so nice to know. Gawd save us is all I can say.

The full version (124 pages) is available in PDF format on this page.