Federal politicians billed taxpayers $1.1 million for their family’s travel

Parliamentary rules allow politicians who are away from their home on official business to fly out their partner, children and other family members to them at taxpayer expense.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell charged taxpayers the highest amount of family travel expenses of $45,926.84.

Labor-turned-independent Senator Fatima Payman expensed $41,438.22 in that same time, followed by former opposition leader Peter Dutton with $38,772.83, and Nationals MP Andrew Wilcox with $33,758.30.

All up, parliamentarians have spent $1,188,909 on family travel in the last financial year.

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.