Major party MPs reject Greens plan to tighten up Code of Conduct and end freebies

The NSW Upper House Privileges Committee has rejected a Greens submission for MPs' Code of Conduct to be updated to include a ban on free admission to concerts and sporting events unless the event relates directly to the work of that Member of Parliament, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.

"The Privileges Committee has just completed the Review of Members' Code of Conduct. They threw away a great opportunity to clean up the rorts that are tarnishing the reputation of law makers," Ms Rhiannon said.

"There is no justification for MPs accepting free tickets to rock concerts and football matches, unless it is related to their portfolio responsibilities.

"It is understandable that the public has become cynical about the political process, when they see MPs using free tickets for events that everyone else has to pay for. "It is very disappointing that the Labor and Coalition MPs on the Privileges Committee decided to keep the status quo.

"The Committee's excuse for rejecting the Greens' submission for cutting back on freebies for MPs was very weak. They argued that none of the accountability bodies who contributed to the inquiry suggested extending the Code of Conduct. The other excuse was that a breach might involve ICAC.

"The Committee passed up an opportunity to expand the Code of Conduct to restrict free admission to events. Such a provision is needed so MPs have clear guidelines for how they work as a public figure.

"The Greens proposal would have sent an important message to the public about the standards of behaviour MPs are committed to.

"The Greens will continue to call for a tightening of MPs code of conduct," Ms Rhiannon said.

The Privileges Committee report was released on October 3. Members who undertook the review are Labor MPs Peter Primrose, Amanda Fazio, Penny Sharpe and Kayee Griffin; Coalition MPs Patricia Forsythe, Don Harwin and Jenny Gardiner; and crossbench MP Fred Nile.