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In an intriguing look at government spending, it has been revealed that parliamentary rules permit politicians to have their family members join them on official trips, with the costs covered by taxpayers. This provision is intended to support politicians who are away from home on government business.
During the 2024-25 financial year, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell emerged as the politician with the highest family travel expenses, amounting to $45,926.84. This expenditure underscores the significant costs associated with balancing public duties and family presence.
Close on his heels, Labor-turned-independent Senator Fatima Payman incurred $41,438.22 in family travel expenses. Following her was former opposition leader Peter Dutton, whose expenditures reached $38,772.83. Nationals MP Andrew Wilcox also featured prominently, with his family travel costs totaling $33,758.30.
Collectively, these expenses have contributed to a substantial $1,188,909 spent on family travel by parliamentarians over the past financial year. This figure highlights the considerable financial impact of enabling family support for politicians during their duties.
The majority of high-spending MPs and senators hail from South Australia, Western Australia, and rural Queensland. The geographical distance from these regions likely leads to increased travel expenses due to the necessity of longer flights.
Most of the highest-spending MPs and senators are based in South Australia, Western Australia and rural Queensland, with the longer flights likely leading to higher bills.
Since the start of the new financial year in July to September, they have already accrued $476,211.50 in family travel expenses.
Labor MP Patrick Gorman has expensed the most with $18,951.47, followed by former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds with $15,166.65 and Farrell with $14,828.67.
Data is not yet available for the August to December quarter.
Taxpayer-funded family travel has come under scrutiny after a Senate estimates hearing revealed Communications Minister Anika Wells billed more than $100,000 for a trip to New York.
Public records found that she had also spent $4000 to fly her husband to the cricket and another $3000 on a family ski trip.
Wells and her colleagues, including Albanese, have defended the expenses, saying they fell within the rules and are something all parliamentarians are entitled to.
“I absolutely accept those figures prompt a gut reaction in people, I honestly accept that. I agree with everybody that parliamentarians’ expenses should be scrutinised,” she told reporters.
“I have been found to have followed the guidelines so far, but for the absolute avoidance of doubt, I am happy for them to have another look.”
What are the rules around family reunion travel?
Politicians can organise reunion flights for their partner, children and eligible family members while they are on official business away from home in Canberra or across Australia at the taxpayers’ expense.
With travel to Canberra, parliamentarians have a cost-based limit of nine business-class return flights for their partner and three economy-class return flights for their children a year.
With travel across Australia, they have a limit of three business-class return flights for the entire year.
The family of a parliamentarian can also have the taxpayer foot the bill for a driver to and from the airport.
Their children who are not accompanied by the parliamentarian, their spouse or a nominee must use a taxi or rideshare to travel to the airport. That cost is then reimbursed.
Family reunion travel is to help balance the parliamentarian’s family life and is acceptable under parliamentary rules.
The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority oversees family reunion travel.