Families of politicians could be relegated to economy class flights and largely limited to flights between Canberra and the MP’s local area.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved to restrict family reunion travel rights for MPs after weeks of backlash against ministers charging the public purse to fly spouses to grand finals and private holidays.
Attorney General Michelle Rowland paid back about $10,000 after charging taxpayers more than $20,000 for family trips to Perth for a week-long holiday in 2023, following ministerial appointments in the west.
“I was advised by the independent authority that some of that, for a single use two-and-a-half years ago, was outside the guidelines,” she told ABC radio on Tuesday.
“So I took advice on that and repaid that amount.”
Minister of Sports Anika Wells also came under fire for flying her husband from Brisbane to Melbourne for three AFL grand finals and the Australian Open tennis, and for taking her family to the snow while claiming family reunion flights.
Sports Minister Anika Wells has been criticized for taxpayer-funded trips for her husband to attend three AFL grand finals and the Australian Open tennis. Source: MONKEY / Lucas Koch
Albanese wrote to the Independent Parliamentary Costs Authority for advice and has now written to the independent Remuneration Tribunal recommending changes once that advice was received.
The tribunal determines the wages and rights of politicians.
“It is appropriate that we have a fair trial on these matters,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
Family travel should be downgraded from business class to economy, he said in his letter.
Flights should also be restricted to between Canberra and the MP’s local area, effectively removing access to national rights, he said.
But spouses or partners of high-ranking office holders should be able to claim flights to events to which they are invited and which are directly related to a minister’s portfolio or parliamentary duties, Albanese advised.
He also called on the tribunal to take into account the circumstances of new mothers or fathers, or MPs with dependent children, to ensure parents are not disadvantaged.
“We want a parliament that reflects Australia in all its diversity,” he said.
“That includes the fact that this parliament looks very different from when I came here in 1996 – that’s a good thing.”
The tribunal will consider the recommendations in early January.
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