Chairperson, the ACDP recognises the enormous responsibility Parliament carries and the importance of a budget able to support the work done. We would like to thank officials and staff for their tireless efforts to ensure this institution functions as efficiently and effectively as it does.
Recent headlines like, "It's party time in Parliament" and "MPs milk travel allowances", which do not fairly represent Members of Parliament, tend to be ignored, as a response would give them some credibility. For this reason, I hesitate to comment now. But I will, all the same.
Due to the fact that MPs' travel expenses and phone calls cost taxpayers R223 million, perhaps another perspective will help put things in context. My experience regarding travel and the resulting claims is that in the years that I used my vehicle to get into my constituency, I was able to be far more available to my constituency.
However, I also paid a high price for the privilege. Not only was I physically exhausted, starved of time with my family, and broke because of the cost of vehicle services and replacing tyres, but I had a wreck of a car which I couldn't give away after five years. The travel claims themselves were heavily taxed, to the point that I really could not afford to be that diligent. I was, however, at the time, empowered in my work at Parliament by the experience of really being available in my constituency.
Due to the fact that public perceptions were that MPs travelling by car were milking the system, I found myself less motivated to sacrifice my time, health and money. I gave myself permission to fly to and from the nearest airport, and to travel to a designated office. Seriously, I like this arrangement much better. But if I were my constituency, I would opt for the old me and a travel policy that encourages MPs to go the extra mile.
Now, it is quite difficult for me to imagine that the extended parliamentary committees, EPCs, could possibly inspire the party-time headlines. Not having been to any after debate functions, I can only assume that those who did, managed to actually party. To be on the safe side, perhaps, we should ask Ministers to have mercy on us and not to provide information stands and after debate functions.
The ACDP welcomes the Speaker's decision, on principle, not to allow nongovernmental organisations, NGOs, to use Parliament's facilities to find legitimacy and publicity for their cause. I am referring specifically to the recent application by the Russell Tribunal to use Parliament's facilities for hearings against companies doing business with Israel. If allowed, we believe this would set a very dangerous precedent. We trust that the Justice and Constitutional Development committee will respect this decision.
We are, however, unimpressed that the recommendation from the Chief Whips' Forum, that parliamentary democracy offices, PDOs, be closed down, has not been taken seriously and certainly not been dealt with. Political parties expressed the view that resources that were being used could be better utilised elsewhere, and urgently requested the matter to be evaluated and reported on. This was especially urgent in the light of the imminent adoption of Parliament's budget. But we will be supporting this budget. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]