Family flights blowing the budget week

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 7, 2026

Several Australian federal politicians charged taxpayer funds for family travel to Canberra during the federal budget week in May, with expenses ranging from around $900 to over $3,500 per MP. This disclosure raises questions about the appropriate use of parliamentary travel budgets and highlights scrutiny over claims that include family members during official sessions.

Several Australian federal politicians incurred significant taxpayer expenses last month to cover family travel during the federal budget week in May. Expense reports released by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) reveal that multiple MPs and ministers from across the political spectrum billed the government for flights to bring relatives to Canberra between May 10 and 15.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s family travel costs amounted to $2,591.32, covering two return trips from Sydney to Canberra. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers recorded expenditures of $1,449.03 for flights transporting two family members between Brisbane and Canberra from May 12 to 13.

Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price had the highest family travel expenses, with $3,511.91 charged for four flights spanning Alice Springs, Sydney, and Canberra on a return itinerary. Labor MP Steve Georganas’s family travel cost $1,667.55 during the same period.

Resources Minister Madeleine King’s expense report showed $2,305.38 for family flights covering routes from Sydney to Canberra and onward to Perth between May 10 and 13. Nationals MP Patrick Conaghan’s family travel expenses totaled $923.82 for travel from Sydney to Canberra from May 10 to 14.

These charges have drawn public attention as political figures typically claim travel expenses to attend to parliamentary duties, with family travel often scrutinized for appropriateness. The IPEA maintains oversight of MPs’ use of taxpayer funds for travel and related expenses, ensuring compliance with relevant guidelines.

While there has been no official statement responding directly to the revelations, the disclosure illustrates how parliamentary travel budgets can extend to cover accompanying family members during key parliamentary sessions such as budget week.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.