MPs expenses set for fresh overhaul

The Turnbull government is set to make further changes to MPs' expenses next week.

Having axed life gold passes and set up an independent expenses authority, Special Minister of State Scott Ryan will bring to parliament draft laws defining what MPs can put on the taxpayer tab.

An independent report released last year, after a review of the entitlements system, called for the replacement of the terms "entitlement" and "benefit" with "work expenses" and a single legal framework to cover work expenses.

The report suggested the government set out broad categories of work expenses and come up with a definition of "parliamentary business".

Excluded from eligibility for taxpayer funding is expected to be attendance at party fundraising events and preselections, and anything that could provide a personal or commercial benefit to the MP or another person.

However, MPs would still be able to claim expenses for attending parliament, party meetings, functions to which they are invited as MPs or office holders, public debates and events "of importance or interest to constituents".