Ed, MPs have been granted $13980/annum to spend as they like. With taxpayer funding for elections I find this unnecessary, unaccountable and unfair. Three recent taxpayer funded communications from my Federal Member appear to show that the allowance is an election piggybank for sitting members. Are local papers used to communicate the Government’s message, has electronic communication been investigated? Whilst in Opposition, Tony Abbott complained of a lack of resources to answer questions. The Government (then opposition) apparently has the resources to answer my questions but chooses not to. A serious problem restricting DEMOCRACY. Steven Jenner, Yamba