Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has become the latest government minister to initiate an audit of her expenses, following in the footsteps of another minister. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is currently seeking guidance from the independent expenses oversight body on this matter.

Rowland made the announcement today, revealing that she has requested the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) to review a family trip to Western Australia, which cost $21,685.

“The Attorney-General has referred a 2023 trip to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for advice,” confirmed a spokesperson in an official statement.

The federal government has defended the practice of family reunion travel, which allows parliamentarians to have their family join them during official duties away from home. This travel is an entitlement covered by taxpayer money.

These are paid for by the taxpayer. 

Their expenditure technically falls within parliamentary rules but has been criticised for failing the pub test, as many of their constituents struggle to keep up in the cost-of-living crisis. 

This afternoon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he asked the IPEA for advice.

“It’s important that, as parliamentarians, we’re not deciding things for ourselves because that would bring obvious criticism,” he told reporters this afternoon.

“I’ve asked IPEA for advice. At least two members of parliament have referred themselves for the details of their audit, but in addition to that, I’ve said to IPEA, ‘Please give us some advice,’ and we will take that on board.”

Albanese failed to answer when exactly he sought advice from the IPEA and said he asked for advice “publicly”. 

“I have said that publicly and asked for that advice from IPEA,” he said.

The prime minister spent $30,253.08 on family travel expenses in the last financial year.

Out of all the parliamentarians, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell charged taxpayers the highest amount of $45,926.84 in family travel during the same time.