Politicians have criticized a senior Albanian cabinet minister after a report found he spent tens of thousands of dollars on taxpayer-funded driver trips.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones spent up to $43,000 on taxpayer-subsidized COMCAR trips over a nine-month period, according to reports published by The Daily Telegraph.
The reports, which cite documents obtained through Freedom of Information, allege that Mr Jones earned more than $11,000 from taxpayer-subsidized car trips between April and December 2022, including claims for petrol reimbursements.
They include a $1,000 car fare for the 2.5-hour journey from his NSW home in Shellharbour, south of Wollongong, to Parliament House in Canberra in September.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones (pictured right) spent up to $43,000 on taxpayer-subsidized COMCAR trips
Under Treasury guidelines, MPs are not allowed to use COMCARs on parliamentary business if they can responsibly drive their own private vehicles.
Independent MP Jacqui Lambie said federal leaders were exploiting the guidelines “to the maximum”.
“Given that he is the assistant treasurer, I think it’s absolutely disgusting,” Ms Lambie told Sky News on Monday.
‘And why doesn’t he drive himself from his house to parliament? that is about 200 km (to 220 km) away.
“Everyone is expected to do that, so I don’t understand it. As a political figure, sometimes it goes straight to their heads, and the fact that they are entitled to that just amazes me.
Australia’s federal politicians, judges and high-ranking visitors can be driven around in electric BMWs. Image: NCA NewsWire
“I would suggest that instead of coming for the Independents or the micro MPs there (Canberra), you go to the Labor Party and control them.”
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said senior government ministers had additional responsibilities that required them to use taxpayer-funded car services more often than the average MP.
‘Stephen lives in a regional area. He has to travel a lot. It is completely within the rights,” Ms. Plibersek said on Monday.
However, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said Mr Jones should publicly explain the allegations.
“To be honest, I drove my car from here in northern NSW to Canberra. I would make a stopover in Sydney and that was much cheaper than flying. Look, it’s something Stephen has to explain.
“It seems like there’s a strong argument why he doesn’t turn his own car the other way, taxpayer-subsidized, and just drive it to Canberra.”
According to the latest parliamentary expenditure data, Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Employment Minister Tony Burke spent the most on domestic and international travel after Labor contested the 2022 federal election – with the Prime Minister spending more than $82,000 on overseas flight costs and claimed $500,000. in the travel costs of employees.