Name: Albanese distances himself from politician spending rules
Uploaded: 2025-12-11T06:35:27.599Z
Duration: 1 min 56 s
Description: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed aside calls to review the rules about the taxpayer-funded entitlements of politicians amid heightened scrutiny. Sports and Communications Minister Anika Wells has faced scrutiny over expenses.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed aside calls to review the rules about the taxpayer-funded entitlements of politicians amid heightened scrutiny. Sports and Communications Minister Anika Wells has faced scrutiny over expenses.

Canberra

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced renewed scrutiny regarding the rules governing MPs' travel entitlements, following criticism of the Communications Minister's expenses for international flights, family travel, and events. While the minister maintains her actions were within guidelines and has referred herself for an audit, the opposition has called for a probe into potential breaches of the ministerial code of conduct.

Albanese has repeatedly stated that the current rules are set and has not indicated support for immediate changes, though the government is open to reviewing them to align with community expectations. The Prime Minister has sought to shift focus to other policy matters, while some politicians have expressed concern over the scale of entitlements and taxpayer spending.

Albanese distances himself from politician spending rules

A reality check for the Prime Minister. Taxpayers have a right to expect value for money, but the rules are there. At a school library in Canberra, Anthony Albanese hushes mounting calls for the rule book to be rewritten when it comes to MPs' travel entitlements. Are you happy with the rules to stay as they are? Well, the rules have been set. But are you happy for them to stay? The rules have been set. Standing by his communications minister amid criticism over her flights to New York, lavish dinners in Paris, plus flights for her family to join her at Thredbo, and sporting events. She insists it's within guidelines, but has referred herself for an audit. The opposition's calling for a probe into whether she's breached the ministerial code of conduct. She needs to step aside while this review happens. Susan Lee resigned from Cabinet in 2017 after charging taxpayers for a Gold Coast trip during which she purchased an apartment. The Turnbull government changed entitlement rules then, with Labor's support. We're, of course, happy to look at the rules and make sure that they continue to be in line with community expectations. But honestly, I think this is a bit of a diversion. Taxpayers will build $1.1 million to fly and drive around federal politicians' families in a single year, as allowed under parliamentary rules. Certainly some of the things that I've seen are raising my eyebrows. I think it's time we actually had a look at all of these so-called entitlements. I'm not the finance minister. The Prime Minister desperate to keep the focus on the social media age ban, not use of the public purse. The issues which you are raising, which I accept are legitimate to be raised, I've answered. I've answered multiple questions on it today. And there's been nothing in your answers that suggests you're interested in changing the rules. I am focused. What I have said very clearly is what I am focused on. Chloe Boris, 10 News.

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