The pub test
Every item here was within the rules, or hasn't been found to break them. We think that's exactly the problem. With the national debt over $1 trillion, this is what politicians are allowed to spend.
#1 · Labor · Apr 2022
Anthony Albanese: More than $3.75m in VIP RAAF flights in his first 14 months
The national debt grows by this much every 29 minutes.
$3,750,000
Reported, no findingMore than $3.75 million, according to FOI documents requested by Greens senator David Shoebridge. Deputy PM Richard Marles spent more than $2.9 million over the same period. For comparison, Scott Morrison spent about $3 million in his first 14 months as PM. The government said the aircraft also carry other parliamentarians. Dates, destinations and passengers weren't released; regular public reporting of VIP flights stopped in 2021.
#2 · Labor · Sept 2025
Anika Wells: Three days in New York for a UN event
The national debt grows by this much every 54 seconds.
$118,000
Cleared on reviewAbout $118,000: business-class flights for Wells and her staffer ($72,592.44), the assistant secretary's flights ($22,236), and about $24,000 for accommodation and transport. Costs rose after Wells stayed in Australia to respond to the Optus triple-zero outage instead of flying with the Prime Minister on the RAAF jet. The Prime Minister approved the trip. IPEA found it within the rules, confirming she had very limited flight options, and now flags high-cost bookings before they're made.
Source: ABC News, FOI documents, 4 Feb 2026; IPEA audit, 8 May 2026
#3 · Labor
Don Farrell: Family travel, July 2024 to June 2026
The national debt grows by this much every 40 seconds.
$86,401.38
Reported, no findingSource: IPEA expenditure report, Jul-Sep 2024 and 7 more on the profile
#4 · Australia's Voice
Fatima Payman: Family travel, July 2024 to June 2026
The national debt grows by this much every 32 seconds.
$69,351.13
Reported, no findingSource: IPEA expenditure reports, Jul 2024 to Jun 2025 and 1 more on the profile
#5 · LNP (sits with the Nationals)
Andrew Willcox: Family travel, July 2024 to June 2026
The national debt grows by this much every 26 seconds.
$56,510.11
Reported, no findingSource: IPEA expenditure reports, Jul 2024 to Jun 2025 and 1 more on the profile
#6 · Labor
Anthony Albanese: Family travel, July 2024 to June 2026
The national debt grows by this much every 24 seconds.
$52,265.24
Reported, no findingSource: IPEA expenditure reports, Jul 2024 to Jun 2025 and 1 more on the profile
#7 · Liberal
Peter Dutton: Family travel, July 2024 to September 2025
The national debt grows by this much every 18 seconds.
$39,009.85
Reported, no findingSource: IPEA expenditure reports, Jul 2024 to Jun 2025 and 1 more on the profile