Taxpayer Burden: Federal Politicians’ Family Travel Expenses Soar to $1.1 Million

Under parliamentary regulations, politicians are permitted to have their partners, children, and other family members join them on official trips, funded by taxpayers.

Former Labor Senator, now independent, Fatima Payman, followed closely with expenses amounting to $41,438.22. Not far behind were former opposition leader Peter Dutton, who spent $38,772.83, and Nationals MP Andrew Wilcox, with $33,758.30.

Overall, family travel expenses by parliamentarians totaled $1,188,909 in the previous financial year.

A significant portion of the highest expenditures came from MPs and senators located in South Australia, Western Australia, and rural Queensland, where extended travel distances likely contributed to increased costs.

In the current financial year, from July to September, these family travel expenses have already reached $476,211.50.

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.