Travel expenses push: Crackdown proposed on ministerial travel disclosures

All taxpayer-funded ministerial interstate and overseas travel would need to be publicly disclosed within 30 days, under proposed new laws to crack down on “entitled” behaviour.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell in Japan October 2022. Picture: Facebook

All taxpayer-funded ministerial interstate and overseas travel would be required to be publicly disclosed within 30 days, under proposed new laws.

One Nation Upper House MP Sarah Game will this week table new legislation that would require a detailed cost to include transport, accommodation, food and beverages and other activity costs.

Under changes to the Public Sector Act, authorities would be required to write a summary of the trip within 30 days and any report tabled in parliament within six sitting days.

“Politicians are here to serve the South Australian people,” Ms Game said.

“They should not see themselves as elite individuals, entitled to take luxury trips at our taxpayers’ expense.

“My feeling is that community morale and respect towards politicians is low.

Sarah Game with Pauline Hanson. Picture: supplied

“Nothing in current legislation requires this level of transparency from our Ministers about interstate and overseas travel spending.”

Currently, travel is publicly disclosed “as soon as possible” while only the cost is published. Itemised details usually require Freedom of Information requests.

Last week, expenses linked to Premier Peter Malinauskas’ trip to Japan and South Korea in October 2022 were only published last week after inquiries from The Advertiser.

Taxpayers were slugged more than $150,000 Mr Malinauskas, state government ministers and top public servants to fly business class and stay in ritzy hotels on the five-night business trip.

The Premier’s travel bill come emerged after Treasurer Stephen Mullighan charged the taxpayer at least $75,000 for an eight-night trip to the US.

The Opposition has heavily criticised both trips.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan travelled to the US for high level talks. Picture: Matt Loxton

A government spokesman said ministers “are already accountable to the parliament and the public for their travel expenses”.

He said under rules instituted by the Weatherill Labor government, ministerial offices are required to proactively disclose expenditure involving credits cards, mobile phones, attendance at functions as well as travel overseas, interstate or regionally.

“The rules require that these proactive disclosures occur as soon as the relevant information is available,” he said.

“While some costs can be published quickly, international travel expenses can take weeks or months to reconcile. This has been the case under both Labor and Liberal governments.”