Name: Federal MPs taxpayer-funded travel reduced after review
Uploaded: 2026-01-20T11:29:03.927Z
Duration: 58 s
Description: A Commonwealth tribunal has recommended a reduced travel allowance for federal politicians, predominantly restricting family travel.

A Commonwealth tribunal has recommended a reduced travel allowance for federal politicians, predominantly restricting family travel.

Canberra

The Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal has responded to public concerns by recommending changes to federal politicians' travel allowances. The review followed a widely reported expenses saga involving taxpayer-funded family travel to sporting events, which, while within existing rules, drew criticism.

Under the new recommendations, MPs' family members will be limited to one return economy fare per year for parliamentary business, replacing the previous allowance of three business class trips. Additionally, ministers and senior office holders will no longer receive extra spending benefits for family travel.

Federal MPs' taxpayer-funded travel reduced after review

The Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal says it's taken into account community concerns around Polly's perks while also acknowledging that parliamentary life is not family-friendly. It was asked to review federal politicians' travel allowances following the expenses saga which dominated headlines before Christmas. While not limited to Labor, government ministers were forced to defend spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on flying family members to sporting events which were all above board. Now the rules will change. Tonight the tribunals recommended MPs' family members fly economy for family reunion travel and that ministers and senior office holders no longer get extra spending benefits. MPs will be allowed to get one return economy fare per year to an Australian location outside of Canberra for their loved ones, provided travel is for parliamentary business. It's currently three return trips business class allowed.

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