Australia’s senior politicians can claim ‘unlimited’ travel expenses for their spouse, watchdog rules say
Exclusive: Prime minister defends Anika Wells as controversy over use of taxpayer-funded travel entitlements continuesExpenses rules for federal politicians are so broad that ministers and senior politicians have “unlimited” travel entitlements for their spouse, according to guidelines...
<p><strong>Exclusive</strong>: Prime minister defends Anika Wells as controversy over use of taxpayer-funded travel entitlements continues</p><p>Expenses rules for federal politicians are so broad that ministers and senior politicians have “unlimited” travel entitlements for their spouse, according to guidelines governing spending.</p><p>Despite <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/08/anika-wells-claimed-more-than-8500-for-family-travel-to-melbourne-during-afl-grand-final-weekends-three-years-in-a-row">days of controversy around spending</a> by the communications minister, Anika Wells, and growing calls for reform of the rules, Anthony Albanese did not indicate there would be changes to entitlements.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/10/australia-senior-politicians-can-claim-unlimited-travel-expenses-for-their-spouse-watchdog-rules-say">Continue reading...</a>
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